Story perspectives

Pope Leo XIV Meets First Female Archbishop at Vatican.

4/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Pope Leo XIV met Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, the first female holder, at the Vatican on April 27, 2026.
The audience projected a powerful image of female authority within the Catholic Church’s male-only priesthood.
A women’s-ordination activist stood outside Canterbury Cathedral with a sign urging the Vatican to ordain women.
Mullally praised Leo’s global-justice statements and backed Leo’s peace call after President Donald Trump criticized the Pope’s anti-war stance.

History

Historical Context

On May 22 1994 Pope John Paul II issued Ordinatio Sacerdinalis, declaring the Church lacks authority to ordain women; 115 bishops endorsed a supporting declaration in 1995. Decades of dissent, including women-ordination groups, kept the issue alive. The 1994 stance echoed the 1976 CDF declaration that barred women, while Roman Catholic Womenpriests have performed ordinations since the 1990s. On April 27 2026 Archbishop Sarah Mullally met Pope Leo XIV, reviving calls for female ordination.

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Story summary

Pope Leo XIV met Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, the first female holder, at the Vatican on April 27, 2026.
The audience projected a powerful image of female authority within the Catholic Church’s male-only priesthood.
A women’s-ordination activist stood outside Canterbury Cathedral with a sign urging the Vatican to ordain women.
Mullally praised Leo’s global-justice statements and backed Leo’s peace call after President Donald Trump criticized the Pope’s anti-war stance.

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