27 April 2026
The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally, met and prayed with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City this morning, on the third day of her pilgrimage to Rome.
Archbishop Sarah, who is a President of Churches Together in England (CTE), had a private meeting with the Pope, after which the Pope and Archbishop each gave an address. Archbishop Sarah was accompanied on her pilgrimage by the Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, the Most Rev Richard Moth.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said: “I have come to Rome as a pilgrim, continuing the journey that began in Canterbury. I am very pleased to be accompanied by Archbishop Richard Moth, who serves with me as a President of Churches Together in England. Archbishop Richard’s presence reflects our shared ecumenical commitment at home and reminds us that the ecumenical pilgrimage is always one we undertake together – as a fellowship of Christians seeking the unity for which Christ prayed.”
She continued: ““In our ecumenical journey, I believe the Holy Spirit is inviting us into a deeper practice of hospitality — not simply as welcome, but as a form of ministry: a willingness to make space for one another as those created in the image of God and called to grow more fully into his likeness.
“Already, we receive from one another gifts we cannot generate alone: depth in prayer, courage in witness, perseverance in suffering, and faithfulness in service. In these, our common witness is strengthened.”
Read Archbishop Sarah’s address in full.
In his address, Pope Leo also stressed the importance of Christian unity, and referenced the meeting of Anglican Primates with Pope Francis in 2024. He said: ‘As my beloved predecessor, Pope Francis, said to the Primates of the Anglican Communion in 2024, “it would be a scandal if, due to our divisions, we did not fulfil our common vocation to make Christ known.” (Read the Pope’s Address to Primates of the Anglican Communion, 2 May 2024). “For my part, I add that it would also be a scandal if we did not continue to work towards overcoming our differences, no matter how intractable they may appear.
As we continue to journey together in friendship and dialogue, let us pray that the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord breathed on the disciples on the evening after his resurrection, will guide our steps as we prayerfully and humbly seek the unity which is the Lord’s will for all his disciples.”
Read Pope Leo XIV’s address in full.
Following her audience, Archbishop Sarah joined the Pope at a service of Daytime Prayer in the Chapel of Urban VIII. The Pope presided at the Office, and the Pope and Archbishop said the grace together.
Reflecting on their shared audience, Archbishop Richard Moth said: “I was very pleased to be part of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s audience with Pope Leo today. It is a further witness to the co-operation between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. The Holy Father’s call to bring Christ’s message of peace to the world is a spur to our continued Christian witness and service to the common good; especially to the most vulnerable.”
Find out more about the six Churches Together in England Presidents.