Pope Francis receives the Archbishop of Canterbury

On Thursday 25 January 2024, Pope Francis received in audience His Grace Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England and titular leader of the Anglican Communion. Archbishop Welby was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Caroline Welby.

Archbishop Welby was in Rome to participate in the second summit meeting of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), which gathered pairs of Catholic and Anglican bishops from 27 countries around the world. Following his meeting with the Holy Father, Archbishop Welby joined the IARCCUM bishops in a pilgrimage to the Basilica of San Bartolomeo all’Isola, the Sanctuary of the New Martyrs. Seven Anglican martyrs, religious of the Melanesian Brotherhood, are among those commemorated in the basilica. Archbishop Welby presided at a celebration of the Eucharist in the Church of England rite in the basilica, before laying a floral tribute at the shrine where the Melanesian martyrs are commemorated.

Later on the same, day, the Archbishop of Canterbury joined Pope Francis and many other church leaders for the celebration of Vespers at the Basilica of St Paul outside the Walls, to mark the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.