Pope Leo XIV met with Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally at the Vatican on Monday. Mullally’s first official visit to Rome as spiritual leader of the Church of England comes amid strained ecumenical relations and division among Anglicans.
Mullally’s delegation for the 25–28 April visit included representatives of the Anglican Communion and the recently appointed Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth.
A more difficult path to full participation
In his address to Mulli and his delegation On 27 April, Leo said that ecumenical dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion has recently become more challenging.
Leo said, “Although much progress has been made on some historically divisive issues, new problems have arisen in recent decades, making the path to full unity more difficult.” “I know the Anglican Communion is also facing many of these same questions at this time. Yet, we must not allow these continuing challenges to stop us from using every possible opportunity to proclaim Christ throughout the world.”
The Pope said it would be “a scandal if we did not continue to work toward overcoming our differences, no matter how insurmountable they may appear.”
Beyond Catholic–Anglican dialogue, Mullally’s election has caused significant theological and ecumenical divisions within the Anglican Communion, particularly regarding the ordination of women and sexuality.
Pope Leo has confirmed the Catholic Church’s teaching on an only male priesthood. In the Anglican Communion, notable divisions have arisen over Mullally’s ordination as a female bishop, particularly between the Global Anglican Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans (GAFCON) and other conservative branches of Anglicanism. In March, GAFCON announced its severance from the Sea of Canterbury.
In 2023, the General Synod of the Church of England controversially voted to approve the blessing of same-sex couples in civil marriage, another point of division among Anglicans.
Hospitality despite differences
Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullaly pray the Liturgy of the Hours together in the Urban VIII Chapel of the Apostolic Palace on April 27, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media
After their meeting, the Pope and the Archbishop read the day’s prayers together in the Chapel of Urban VIII in the Apostolic Palace, part of the Liturgy of the Hours.
In his address to the PontiffMullally thanked them for the opportunity to pray together and encouraged mutual hospitality despite differences.
Mullaly said, “In our worldwide journey, I believe the Holy Spirit is inviting us to a deeper practice of hospitality, not just as a welcome, but as a ministry.” “As I begin this ministry, I hope to be a shepherd who loves and cares for the church, who encourages hospitality despite our differences, who prophesies in our present reality, and who proclaims Christian hope with the conviction that the gospel of Jesus Christ is good news for our world today.”
Over the weekend, Mullally also visited St. Paul’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Basilica outside the Walls. On Monday evening, she will preside over choral evensong at St. Ignatius Church of Loyola, during which she will appoint Bishop Anthony Ball of Canterbury as the Holy See’s official representative.
