Archbishop of Canterbury Praises Pope Leo's Anti-War Stance After Vatican Meeting

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, commended Pope Leo for his vocal opposition to injustice and conflict following their meeting at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The first woman to lead the Church of England, Dame Sarah assured the pontiff of a “warm welcome” should he visit the UK.

During an address after their private discussions, Dame Sarah stated their shared commitment to prayer for justice and “peace in our world.” This alignment follows Pope Leo's recent remarks earlier this month in Cameroon, where he condemned the global landscape as being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and criticised the immense cost of war. Dame Sarah acknowledged, “Your Holiness, you have spoken powerfully about the many injustices in our world today, but you have spoken even more powerfully about hope.”

This Vatican meeting occurs weeks after former US President Donald Trump criticised Pope Leo as “weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.” The pontiff had previously expressed concerns over Trump’s threat that “a whole civilisation will die” if Iran did not comply with US demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a confrontation averted by a subsequent ceasefire. Pope Leo has reiterated his commitment to “speak out loudly against war” and to promote peace.

Dame Sarah further noted that the Pope’s message “reminded us that despite our sufferings, people long for life in all its fullness and countless people are working each day for this vision of the common good.” She also relayed King Charles III’s appreciation for Pope Leo’s recent visit in October, a symbolic event marking the first instance of a British monarch praying publicly with the head of the Catholic Church since the Reformation. The American-born Pope Leo recently concluded a four-nation tour of Africa, which the Archbishop described as “full of life and joy.”