Archbishop of Canterbury to visit Rome
09 NOVEMBER 2006

ACNS-The Archbishop of Canterbury and Pope Benedict XVIth will have their first meeting later this month since the two met briefly following the Pope’s Inauguration Mass in 2005. The private Papal Audience, on Thursday 23rd November, will be the centrepiece of Dr Williams’ visit to Rome which runs from 21st-26th November. The visit coincides with the 40th anniversary of the historic meeting between Pope Paul VIth and Archbishop Michael Ramsey in 1966.

In addition to a number of private meetings in the Vatican, Dr Williams will also take part in the celebrations marking 40 years since the founding of the Anglican Centre in Rome in 1966 Dr Williams will lead worship for Rome’s Anglican congregations and deliver two keynote lectures - ‘St Benedict and the Future of Europe’ and ‘Secularity, Freedom and Faith’, and meet with the Sant’ Egidio Community.

During the visit the Archbishop will be accompanied by Mrs Jane Williams; the delegation will also include Archbishop Peter Carnley, Co-Chair of the Anglican Roman Catholic International Commission (ARCIC), by Bishop David Beetge, Co-Chair of the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission on Unity and Mission (IARCCUM), and by Bishop John Flack, the Archbishop’s Representative to the Holy See.

As on previous visits to the Vatican, Dr Williams will be wearing the Episcopal ring which was presented by Pope Paul VIth to Archbishop Michael Ramsey at their historic meeting in 1966.

the rest (including schedule of events)