Pope Francis greets Justin Welby, new Archbishop of Canterbury

March 21, 2013: The 105th Archbishop of Canterbury was on Thursday enthroned in his Cathedral. Archbishop Justin Welby succeeded Rowan Williams, who led the Church of England from 2002-2012. The Holy See delegation to the event was led by the head of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch. Archbishop Welby has a deep interest in Catholic social teaching, and sees it as a means for the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion to work together.

Thanking him for the kind words contained in his message to Pope Francis at his election, the Pope in his turn offered his greetings and best wishes on the occasion of Rev. Welby’s Enthronement at Canterbury Cathedral.

“The pastoral ministry is a call to walk in fidelity to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please be assured of my prayers as you take up your new responsibilities, and I ask you to pray for me as I respond to the new call that the Lord has addressed to me. I look forward to meeting you in the near future, and to continuing the warm fraternal relations that our predecessors enjoyed.” said the pope in his message.