The highlight of the visit was to be a midday prayer service in the Sistine Chapel that marks the first time since the Reformation that the heads of the two Christian churches will pray together.

King Charles and Pope Leo made history in the Sistine Chapel by praying side by side - a first for the leaders of the Church of England and Catholic Church.

William Gibson, professor of theology at Oxford Brookes university, said the Vatican service was a "historic event" in a slow resumption of ties.