Female Anglican leader suggests ban on women priests an ‘injustice’ after meeting Pope Leo XIV

ROME (LifeSiteNews) — The female “Archbishop” of Canterbury has hinted that not allowing women to be ordained is a matter of “injustice” after meeting with Pope Leo XIV.

In an interview at the Venerable English College in Rome, where English Catholic seminarians train for the priesthood, shortly after her private audience with Leo last Monday, Sarah Mullally was asked whether she discussed “the ministry of women” with the Pope.

‘Archbishop’ Sarah Mullally was asked if she discussed women priests with Pope Leo XIV.

She dodges: ‘I’m not a politician’ — then hints it came up as a ‘matter of justice.’

WATCH the clip 👇 pic.twitter.com/GTtzEiEivY

— John-Henry Westen (@JhWesten) April 28, 2026

The Anglican “archbishop” gave an evasive answer, stating, “First and foremost, I am a pastor and a spiritual leader. But of course, in sometimes speaking as a spiritual leader and a pastor and a Christian, there are things that we will say that may be perceived as political – but I am not a politician.”

“In a sense, what I’m hoping to do is to provide people with hope, praying for those who are in difficulty,” she continued.

Mullally then hinted that she sees the ban on female ordinations as an “injustice,” stating that one of her tasks is “at times speaking out where there is injustice, but doing it in a way that is certainly pastoral and spiritually founded.”

Mulally’s visit had already caused controversy when a photo of her giving a “blessing” near the tomb of St. Peter was circulated online. In the picture, Archbishop Flavio Pace, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, can be seen bowing his head and making the Sign of the Cross as though receiving a real blessing from her.

After their meeting, the Pope said, “This ecumenical journey has been complex” and, “While much progress has been made on some historically divisive issues, new problems have arisen in recent decades, rendering the pathway to full communion more difficult to discern.”

Addressing Mullally directly, the Pope said: “Your Grace, in thanking you for your visit today, I pray that the same Holy Spirit will remain with you always, making you fruitful in the service to which you have been called.”

The female “archbishop” said in the interview that she viewed the meeting as an encouragement, describing it as “a privilege and humbling,” and that it was characterized by “great warmth and a great encouragement and of hope.”

She said, “We both recognized that regardless of me being a woman, this is a significant moment in that both our churches have been on a journey together to deepen our friendship, to pray together, and to seek that unity to which we are called.”

“And therefore this was an important meeting for us to commit together that we will continue that journey and pilgrim pathway of praying together, deepening our fellowship, but also living out that unity to which we are called,” Mullally concluded.