The papal audience at the Vatican was part of Mullally’s first trip abroad since taking up her groundbreaking role last month as the first woman to hold the role of the Church of England’s top cleric.

“While our suffering world greatly needs the peace of Christ, the divisions among Christians weakens our capacity to be effective bearers of that peace,” Leo told Mullally and her delegation in an address published by the Vatican.

“If the world is to take our preaching to heart, we must, therefore, be constant in our prayers and efforts to remove any stumbling blocks that hinder the proclamation of the Gospel,” he said, adding that “unity for the sake of a more fruitful evangelization” had been a recurring theme throughout his ministry.

Leo cited progress between the two churches on “historically divisive issues” but said “new problems have arisen in recent decades,” without specifying further.

“Nevertheless, we must not allow these continuing challenges to prevent us from using every possible opportunity to proclaim Christ to the world together,” said Leo, the 70-year-old leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.

Mullally, 63, is a former nurse who is married with two children.

In the 16th century, King Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church, creating the Church of England.

In ensuing centuries, relations have steadily improved, but in 2016, new fractures had emerged, particularly over the ordination of women, which is forbidden within the Catholic Church.

Women have been allowed to become bishops within the Church of England since 2014, although the issue remains divisive.

Mullally’s visit comes six months after King Charles III met with Leo, becoming the first supreme governor of the Church of England to pray with a pontiff.

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