Archbishop of Canterbury backs Pope Leo's call for peace

Sarah Mullally urged Anglicans worldwide to join Pope Leo in advocating for peace and justice, calling on leaders to prioritize diplomatic solutions over conflict. Her remarks come amid rising global tensions and criticism directed at the pontiff.

Reuters

16 April 2026 at 13:02:20

Archbishop of Canterbury backs Pope Leo's call for peace

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dame Sarah Mullally in the Diocesan cathedra (Bishop's Chair) in the Quire of Canterbury Cathedral in Kent, during the Enthronement Ceremony installing her as the 106th Archbishop, in Britain, March 25, 2026.

Jordan Pettitt/Reuters

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, said on Thursday that she stood with Pope Leo in his "courageous call for a kingdom of peace", urging 85 million Anglicans worldwide to join the pontiff in speaking out for peace and justice.

The comments from Mullally, the first woman to lead the Church of England, come after repeatedattacks on the pope by U.S. President Donald Trump.

"I stand with my brother in Christ, His Holiness Pope XIV, in his courageous call for a kingdom of peace," Mullally, also the spiritual head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, said in a statement.

"It is the calling of every Christian – and of all people of faith and goodwill – to work and pray for peace. We must also urge all those entrusted with political authority to pursue every possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict."

Earlier on Thursday, the pope, in Cameroon as part of a visit to four countries in Africa, blasted leaders who spend billions on wars and said the world was "being ravaged by a handful of tyrants".

-Reporting by Muvija M and Catarina Demony, writing by Sam Tabahriti, editing by William James/Reuters