Pope Leo called for deeper unity between Catholics and Anglicans as he received Sarah Mullally in a historic audience at the Vatican.
The meeting, one of the first since Mullally’s installation as Archbishop of Canterbury, brought together two of the most prominent leaders in global Christianity at a time of renewed calls for interdenominational cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, the pontiff stressed that divisions among Christians continue to undermine their global mission, particularly in a world facing conflict and instability.
“While our suffering world greatly needs the peace of Christ, the divisions among Christians weaken our capacity to be effective bearers of that peace,” he said.
He urged both communions to remain committed to dialogue and reconciliation, warning that failure to do so could damage the credibility of their shared message.
“If the world is to take our preaching to heart, we must… be constant in our prayers and efforts to remove any stumbling blocks that hinder the proclamation of the Gospel,” he added.
Pope Leo further described continued division as unacceptable, stating 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.”
The Vatican meeting reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, which have remained separated since the 16th century despite decades of ecumenical dialogue.
Mullally, now head of the global Anglican Church, has been seen as a key figure in advancing interfaith and inter-church relations, with her visit signalling a commitment to sustained engagement.
The Pope concluded by thanking her for the visit and offering prayers for her leadership, expressing hope that collaboration between the two traditions would continue to grow.
