In Vatican City, Pope Leo and Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally held their first meeting, marking a symbolic moment between two branches of Christianity that have been deeply divided throughout history.
The two religious leaders met privately at the Apostolic Palace before entering a 17th-century chapel together to recite a joint prayer. The meeting took place as the two churches—Catholic and Anglican—have maintained a distance since 1534, when Henry VIII separated the Church of England from Catholicism.
Sarah Mullally, the first woman to serve as the spiritual leader of approximately 85 million Anglicans worldwide, thanked Pope Leo for his recent powerful speeches, especially during his trip to Africa, where he criticized war and harsh forms of governance.
She emphasized that Pope Leo's message brings hope in a volatile world, where people still strive for a better life and the common good.
For his part, Pope Leo acknowledged progress in narrowing the gap between the two churches but also mentioned new challenges that have emerged in recent decades. He called on both sides to continue seizing every opportunity to deliver a message of faith to the world.
Sarah Mullally reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining unity in prayer, emphasizing that each side can complement the other with values such as spiritual depth, steadfastness, and perseverance in service.
The meeting took place after Mullally officially assumed the role of Archbishop of Canterbury in March 2026, a historic shift that also generated diverse opinions within the global Anglican community.
Previously, Charles III, the titular head of the Church of England, made a state visit to the Vatican and prayed with Pope Leo at the Sistine Chapel—a rare event in relations between the two sides.
This meeting continues to demonstrate efforts toward healing and dialogue between the two major churches, as the world faces many challenges requiring a common voice from religious organizations.
