Canterbury: Pope Leo XIV has conveyed a message of goodwill and spiritual encouragement to Sarah Mullally on the occasion of her installation as the new Archbishop of Canterbury, reaffirming the importance of continued dialogue between Catholics and Anglicans grounded in “truth and love.”
The installation ceremony traditionally referred to as an enthronement was held on March 25 at Canterbury Cathedral. The solemn liturgy, attended by around 2,000 guests including Prince William and Catherine Middleton, marked the formal beginning of Archbishop Mullally’s public ministry as spiritual leader of the Anglican Communion.
In his message, the Pope assured the new Primate of his prayers, invoking divine “grace, mercy, and peace” upon her leadership. He highlighted the immense responsibilities attached to the office, which extends beyond the Diocese of Canterbury to encompass the wider Church of England and the global Anglican Communion. He also acknowledged that Archbishop Mullally assumes her role during a complex and testing period in Anglican history, expressing hope that she would be guided by wisdom and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, drawing inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Reflecting on the history of Catholic–Anglican relations, Pope Leo XIV recalled the landmark 1966 meeting between Pope Paul VI and Michael Ramsey, which marked a turning point in fostering closer ties between the two traditions. That encounter, he noted, laid the foundation for a renewed commitment to fraternal relations rooted in Christian charity—a commitment that has yielded meaningful progress over the past six decades.
The Pope also commended the contributions of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission, established in the wake of the 1966 meeting. He observed that the commission has played a vital role in deepening mutual understanding and strengthening a shared Christian witness in addressing global challenges.
At the same time, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged that the ecumenical journey has not been without obstacles. Referencing the 2016 Joint Declaration signed by Pope Francis and Justin Welby, he noted that evolving circumstances have given rise to new areas of disagreement. Nevertheless, he stressed that such differences do not negate the fundamental unity Christians share through baptism, which binds them as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Reaffirming his commitment to ecumenism, the Pope called for continued engagement marked by honesty and charity, so that Christians may together witness to God’s grace and peace in a divided world. He emphasized that the pursuit of unity ultimately serves the mission of proclaiming Christ, echoing the Gospel prayer “that the world may believe.” He also cited a 2024 address by Pope Francis to Anglican Primates, warning that divisions among Christians risk undermining their shared mission.
The Pope’s message was formally delivered on March 26 during a joint prayer service at Canterbury Cathedral, presided over by Archbishop Mullally and Kurt Koch, the Vatican’s envoy. The service commemorated the 60th anniversary of the historic 1966 meeting between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Ramsey.
Adding symbolic continuity to the occasion, the kneeler used during the 1982 meeting between Pope John Paul II and Robert Runcie was used once again during the liturgy.
The Catholic delegation present for the event included senior Church leaders such as Cardinals Vincent Nichols and Timothy Radcliffe, alongside several archbishops and representatives from the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.
The ceremony not only marked a new chapter in Anglican leadership but also served as a renewed sign of commitment to ecumenical dialogue, as both traditions continue their journey toward greater unity and shared witness in the modern world.