Story perspectives

Pope Meets First Female Archbishop, Discusses Women OrdinationPope Meets First Female Archbishop, Discusses Women Ordination

4/29/2026

Summary

Pope Welcomes Mullally

Pope Leo XIV received Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, the first woman to lead Church of England, and prayed with her in Vatican City.
He noted the 60th anniversary of 1966 Anglican-Catholic statement and said progress was made but issues like women’s ordination require dialogue.
Mullally thanked Leo, gave him honey from Lambeth Palace, pledged prayer for justice, and was criticised by Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) provinces warning of splits.

Summary

Mullally Appoints Ball

Mullally will appoint Bishop Anthony Ball as her official representative to the Holy See.
The pilgrimage visited St Peter’s Basilica, St Paul Outside the Walls and St Paul Within the Walls, Rome’s first non-Catholic church since the Reformation.
The delegation comprised Archbishop Richard Moth, Director Anthony Ball, adviser Matthias Grebe and Canon Margaret Cave.
On April 27 evening Mullally presided over vespers at St Ignatius of Loyola with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle as homilist.

History

Historical Context

John Paul II’s historic 28 May 1982 pastoral visit—the first by a reigning pope—took him to nine UK cities, drew over two million attendees and featured a joint service with Archbishop Robert Runcie at Canterbury. That breakthrough set a precedent for later ecumenical meetings, such as the 2025 audience with Pope Leo XIV, underscoring ongoing Anglican-Catholic dialogue.

1 of 3

Pope Welcomes Mullally

Pope Leo XIV received Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, the first woman to lead Church of England, and prayed with her in Vatican City.
He noted the 60th anniversary of 1966 Anglican-Catholic statement and said progress was made but issues like women’s ordination require dialogue.
Mullally thanked Leo, gave him honey from Lambeth Palace, pledged prayer for justice, and was criticised by Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) provinces warning of splits.

1 / 3