Charles, the ceremonial leader of the Church of England, and Camilla were seated on opulent golden thrones set on the elevated altar of the Sistine Chapel. They sat before Michelangelo’s iconic masterpiece, “The Last Judgment,” during an ecumenical service presided over by Pope Leo and the Anglican Archbishop of York on Thursday.

This historic event marked the first instance since the Reformation where leaders of the two Christian denominations, long divided by issues such as the ordination of female priests, came together in prayer.

In a statement, the event organizers criticized certain parts of the Anglican Communion for their LGBTQ-affirming positions, attributing these stances to the ongoing division. This was a pointed reference to the progressive policies of the Church of England and the Episcopal Church in the United States.

The statement coincided with another release from Gafcon, which expressed disapproval of the appointment of Bishop Sarah Mullally. The document highlighted the belief held by some that only men should be bishops, and it rejected her appointment as a unifying factor within the Anglican community.