Pope Leo and Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally met for the first time at the Vatican in a historic and symbolic encounter between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.
They exchanged gifts, prayed together, and discussed strengthening ties between the two Christian traditions that split in 1534.
Mullally, the first female leader of the Anglican Communion, praised the Pope’s strong public stance on global issues, while Leo emphasised continued cooperation despite ongoing challenges in church relations.
Both leaders highlighted the importance of unity, shared faith, and joint mission, even as theological differences remain, such as the Catholic Church’s position on women clergy.
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The meeting marks another step in warming relations between the two churches, which have grown closer in recent decades after centuries of division.