Vatican City, Vatican City. Pope Leo and newly installed Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally met for the first time on Monday at the Vatican, where they exchanged gifts and prayed together in a symbolic encounter between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.
First meeting at the apostolic palace
Mullally, described as the first woman to serve as the spiritual leader of the world’s 85 million Anglicans, was welcomed by Leo, described as the first U.S. leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, into his formal office at the Vatican’s apostolic palace.
The two leaders, whose denominations split in 1534, met privately before going together to a 17th century chapel where they recited prayers in unison.
Remarks on speaking style and shared challenges
In formal remarks to Leo, Mullally thanked the pope for his “forceful speaking style,” referring to a four-nation Africa tour during which he denounced war and despotism, comments that drew criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump.
“The world needed this message at this time – thank you,” Mullally said. “It reminded us that despite our sufferings, people long for life in all its fullness, and countless people are working each day for this vision of the common good.”
Leo said progress had been made in drawing the Catholic Church and the Church of England closer, but said “new problems have arisen in recent decades,” without specifying them.
“We must not allow these continuing challenges to prevent us from using every possible opportunity to proclaim Christ to the world together,” the pope said.
Mullally’s appointment and visit to Rome
Mullally, who is visiting Rome this week, was installed as Archbishop of Canterbury in March, a change that drew mixed reactions within the global Anglican Communion, particularly among more conservative provinces in Africa and Asia.
Ahead of the meeting, Mullally told ITV News she felt “very humbled, very privileged” to meet Leo.
What do you think this meeting could mean for future cooperation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England?