Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Mullally Pray Together at Vatican

Pope Leo XIV met with Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally in a historic encounter at the Vatican on Monday, where they prayed together and vowed to continue dialogue despite their differences. According to The Guardian, Mullally praised Leo's outspoken stance on global injustices, particularly his criticism of the US-Israeli war on Iran. The meeting marked a significant step in reinforcing relations between the Catholic and Anglican churches.

Sarah Mullally, who became the first woman to lead the Anglican church in March, arrived in Rome for a visit aimed at strengthening ties with the Vatican. She had a private meeting with Leo at the Apostolic Palace, where they discussed their shared commitment to addressing global issues and promoting peace. The Guardian reported that Mullally commended Leo's recent African tour, during which he spoke out against war and injustices.

Pope Leo XIV, the first US-born leader of the Catholic church, acknowledged the historical divisions between their denominations but emphasized the importance of unity. He quoted Pope Francis as saying that it would be a scandal if their divisions prevented them from fulfilling their common vocation to make Christ known. According to The Guardian and Reuters, Leo vowed to continue working towards overcoming differences, no matter how intractable they may appear.

The encounter between the two religious leaders was described as historic by multiple sources, including PBS. It highlighted ongoing efforts to reconcile the Catholic and Anglican churches, which split in 1534. Despite significant differences, particularly over the ordination of women, both leaders expressed a commitment to deepening bonds of communion and encouraging collaboration at global and local levels.