King Charles and Queen Camilla traveled to the Vatican to mark a solemn, historic moment, but the monarch also brought some smiles to local schoolchildren along the way.

On Thursday, Oct. 23, the King, 76, and Queen, 78, were in Rome to meet with Pope Leo, 70. They had an audience with the pontiff before praying with him during an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel. The service marked the first time a British monarch has prayed with a pope in public since the Reformation in the 16th Century.

Following the spiritual moment, the King and Queen encountered a group of schoolchildren from the local primary school, Scuola Primaria San Paolo – Istituto Figlie di Cristo, who were waiting to greet them outside the Papal Basilica.

The children welcomed the King by chanting in unison, “Your Majesty, San Paolo school is honored to welcome you!”

King Charles seemed delighted by the greeting, telling them, “You have excellent English, better than my Italian,” prompting laughter from the group.

The King also made sure to inquire after their studies, asking one boy, “They give you a lot of homework, don’t they? I suspect so.”

The royals’ visit to Vatican City comes during a “Year of Jubilee” for the Catholic Church. Marked every 25 years, the milestone is said to be a “significant moment” in relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which Charles is Supreme Governor.

King Charles and Queen Camilla were originally scheduled to perform their public prayer with Pope Francis during their visit to Rome in April. However, the pope was ailing at the time and died on April 21.

Pope Leo was elected in a conclave of cardinals in May. The first American-born leader of the global Catholic Church, the new pope made a significant gesture to the British royal family last month, when he sent a surprise message of condolences upon the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent.

The King often has heartwarming encounters with children during his public duties. In his private life, however, it’s said that he shares a special bond with one of his grandchildren in particular: Princess Charlotte.

Earlier this year, royal author Ingrid Seward told PEOPLE that the King “once wanted a daughter” and has fostered a close relationship with Prince William’s only girl.

“I would think he has a very nice relationship with his granddaughter,” Seward said.

As her father prepares to accede to the throne, Charlotte, 10, is said to be a “natural” when it comes to the small number of royal duties she is tasked with at her age.

“[She] has taken to royal events like a duck to water,” a palace insider told PEOPLE.