Pope Leo XIV Meets First Female Archbishop of Canterbury, Urges Greater Christian Unity

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV received Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally in a historic audience on Monday (April 27, 2026), marking a significant moment in relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion.

Mullally, who was installed as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury in March and is the first woman to hold the role, met the pope at the Apostolic Palace as part of a four-day visit to Rome aimed at strengthening ecumenical ties.

The meeting included a private audience followed by a joint prayer service in the Chapel of Urban VIII, underscoring a shared commitment to dialogue despite longstanding theological differences.

In remarks released by the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the urgency of Christian unity in a world marked by conflict and division. He noted that disunity among Christians weakens their collective witness and their ability to promote peace, calling for renewed efforts to overcome obstacles that hinder common evangelization.

Mullally described her visit as a “pilgrimage,” calling it both a privilege and a moment of joy to pray alongside the pope. She also encouraged Anglicans worldwide to support ongoing efforts toward peace and justice through prayer and cooperation.

The encounter highlights both progress and persistent tensions in Catholic-Anglican relations. Among the most significant points of divergence is the issue of women’s ordination. The Church of England has allowed women to serve as priests since 1994 and as bishops since 2014, while the Roman Catholic Church continues to reserve ordination for men.

Despite these differences, both leaders signaled a commitment to continued dialogue. The pope acknowledged that while some historical disagreements have seen progress, new challenges have emerged in recent decades. Still, he stressed that such differences should not prevent cooperation in proclaiming the Christian message.

Mullally’s itinerary in Rome also included prayers at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and meetings with officials from the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. The visit evokes the legacy of the 1966 meeting between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, which marked the beginning of formal ecumenical dialogue between the two churches.

The meeting follows earlier efforts to strengthen ties, including an audience between Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, in 2025.

While full unity remains elusive, Monday’s encounter suggested a shared willingness to deepen collaboration in addressing global challenges and offering a common Christian witness in an increasingly fractured world. []