Pope Leo XIV accepts title of Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel, Windsor

On Friday 23 October, it was announced that the Holy Father Leo XIV had accepted the honorary title of Papal Confrater of the College and Chapel of St George at Windsor Castle. Windsor Castle is one of the principal royal residences in the United Kingdom and has belonged to the British monarchy for over a thousand years. St George’s Chapel, which is under the direct jurisdiction of the King, was founded in the fourteenth century. The College of St George consists of the Dean and Canons of Windsor, along with a group of Military Knights and others, constituting a community committed to offering daily worship, prayers for the King and hospitality to visitors.

The announcement was made on the first anniversary of the state visit of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the Holy See on 23 October 2025. On that occasion, following a meeting with the Holy Father, and prayer together in the Sistine Chapel, the King travelled to the Papal Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls. There, in recognition of the historic links between the basilica and the English Crown, the Cardinal Archpriest of the Basilica and the Abbot of its Benedictine community conferred the title of Royal Confrater on King Charles. A special chair was commissioned for the occasion, bearing the King’s coat of arms, together with the phrase, Ut unum sint – ‘That they may be one’ (Jn 17:21). The reciprocal invitation to Pope Leo to become Papal Confrater of St George’s Windsor was intended as a similar sign of spiritual fellowship, ecumenical friendship and Christian fraternity.

Also on 23 October, organised by the United Kingdom Embassy to the Holy See, a short commemoration of the royal visit took place before Vespers at the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls. Later this year, King Charles will attend a special service at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, when a mosaic icon presented to him by Pope Leo during the state visit, will be solemnly consecrated in its permanent location in the Chapel.