Story perspectives

First Female Archbishop of Canterbury Meets Pope, Discusses Unity

4/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, met Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City on 25 April 2026, becoming the first female Archbishop to hold a papal audience.
She held a private audience and prayed with the pope in Urban VIII’s chapel.
Her delegation included Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster and Bishop Anthony Ball, the Anglican Centre’s Holy See representative.
Leaders cited immigration, poverty, war, environment and clerical abuse while the pope hoped for unity.

History

Historical Context

John Paul II’s 1982 prayer with Archbishop Robert Runcie in Canterbury marked the first papal-Anglican encounter in decades. That breakthrough set a pattern of high-profile ecumenical visits; the pope later traveled to 129 countries. Sarah Mullally’s 2026 audience with Pope Leo XIV, featuring the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, echoes this historic significant momentum.

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Story summary

Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury, met Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City on 25 April 2026, becoming the first female Archbishop to hold a papal audience.
She held a private audience and prayed with the pope in Urban VIII’s chapel.
Her delegation included Archbishop Richard Moth of Westminster and Bishop Anthony Ball, the Anglican Centre’s Holy See representative.
Leaders cited immigration, poverty, war, environment and clerical abuse while the pope hoped for unity.

1 / 2