Pope Leo meets first female Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally at Vatican
Pope Leo and Archbishop Sarah Mullally, the first woman to lead the Church of England, met for the first time on Monday at the Vatican. The encounter between the leaders of the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, which split in 1534, included private discussions and joint prayers in a 17th-century chapel. Mullally, leading 85 million Anglicans, and Leo, head of 1.4 billion Catholics, exchanged gifts. Mullally thanked the pope, saying the world needed the message of unity. Leo acknowledged progress in reconciliation but noted new problems in recent decades without specifying them.
Key facts
- Pope Leo and Archbishop Sarah Mullally met for the first time on Monday at the Vatican.
- Mullally is the first woman to serve as spiritual leader of the Church of England.
- Leo is the first US leader of the Catholic Church.
- The two leaders exchanged gifts and prayed together in a 17th-century chapel.
- The Catholic Church and Church of England split in 1534.
- Mullally leads 85 million Anglicans; Leo leads 1.4 billion Catholics.
- Mullally said the world needed the message of unity.
- Leo noted progress in reconciliation but cited new problems in recent decades.
Entities
Institutions
- Catholic Church
- Church of England
- Vatican
Locations
- Vatican City