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Pope warns Archbishop of 'strain' Pope warns Archbishop of 'strain'
(20 minutes later)
Pope Benedict XVI has warned the Archbishop of Canterbury the Anglican community's difficulties had put a strain on the Churches' relationship.Pope Benedict XVI has warned the Archbishop of Canterbury the Anglican community's difficulties had put a strain on the Churches' relationship.
Dr Williams, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Church, is on his first official visit to Rome. Dr Rowan Williams, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Church, is on his first official visit to Rome.
It is thought the Pope was referring to the consecration of women as bishops and blessing of same sex unions, both an anathema to the Catholic Church.It is thought the Pope was referring to the consecration of women as bishops and blessing of same sex unions, both an anathema to the Catholic Church.
He made the comments in his welcoming speech. Dr Williams is on a short tour.He made the comments in his welcoming speech. Dr Williams is on a short tour.
'Theological dialogue''Theological dialogue'
The meeting marks the 40th anniversary of the meeting between his predecessor, Dr Michael Ramsey and the late Pope Paul VI at the Holy See. The meeting marks the 40th anniversary of the meeting between his predecessor, Dr Michael Ramsey and the late Pope Paul VI, at the Holy See.
BBC correspondent David Willey said the Pope told the Archbishop that although the two churches had had "fruitful" dialogue since the first official contact between Lambeth Palace and the Vatican 40 years ago, there was now "uncertainty about the future of the Anglican Communion itself".BBC correspondent David Willey said the Pope told the Archbishop that although the two churches had had "fruitful" dialogue since the first official contact between Lambeth Palace and the Vatican 40 years ago, there was now "uncertainty about the future of the Anglican Communion itself".
The Pope and the Archbishop then issued a joint declaration acknowledging the challenges presented by "dissent" within the Anglican Communion. The Pope and the Archbishop then issued a joint declaration, acknowledging the challenges presented by "dissent" within the Anglican Communion.
The two men reportedly admitted that this dissent presented "serious obstacles towards re-establishing the unity of the two Churches" - shattered at the time of the Reformation, our correspondent added.The two men reportedly admitted that this dissent presented "serious obstacles towards re-establishing the unity of the two Churches" - shattered at the time of the Reformation, our correspondent added.
But the Pope and the Archbishop said they were both committed to continuing theological dialogue.But the Pope and the Archbishop said they were both committed to continuing theological dialogue.
The Vatican declaration comes only a few days before the Pope leaves for Turkey to address problems caused by another deep division among Christians - between Rome and the Orthodox Churches, dating back almost 1,000 years.The Vatican declaration comes only a few days before the Pope leaves for Turkey to address problems caused by another deep division among Christians - between Rome and the Orthodox Churches, dating back almost 1,000 years.
Path to unityPath to unity
The two men are expected to hold their private discussions in the papal library - where, according to Lambeth Palace, "nothing will be out of bounds".The two men are expected to hold their private discussions in the papal library - where, according to Lambeth Palace, "nothing will be out of bounds".
Ahead of their meeting, Dr Williams is thought to have made a courtesy call on the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarchisio Bertoni.Ahead of their meeting, Dr Williams is thought to have made a courtesy call on the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarchisio Bertoni.
He also prayed near the reputed burial place of the first Pope, the Apostle Peter in St Peters' Basilica before pausing at the tomb of the late Pope John Paul II, buried in the crypt of the Basilica.He also prayed near the reputed burial place of the first Pope, the Apostle Peter in St Peters' Basilica before pausing at the tomb of the late Pope John Paul II, buried in the crypt of the Basilica.
The Pope and the Archbishop will also pray together in a private chapel.The Pope and the Archbishop will also pray together in a private chapel.
It is thought Dr Williams will spend most of Thursday inside the Vatican city.It is thought Dr Williams will spend most of Thursday inside the Vatican city.
He is also expected to give two lectures - one at the Vatican's Academy of Sciences - during his six-day tour.He is also expected to give two lectures - one at the Vatican's Academy of Sciences - during his six-day tour.
The Roman Catholic Cardinal, Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy O'Connor is thought to have accompanied Dr Williams on the visit.The Roman Catholic Cardinal, Archbishop of Westminster, Cormac Murphy O'Connor is thought to have accompanied Dr Williams on the visit.
The ordination of Gene Robinson - a divorced man in an openly gay relationship - as the Bishop of New Hampshire in the US in 2003 was viewed with "concern" by the Catholic Church.The ordination of Gene Robinson - a divorced man in an openly gay relationship - as the Bishop of New Hampshire in the US in 2003 was viewed with "concern" by the Catholic Church.
When Dr Williams met the late Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, the Pope issued a tough warning about "new and serious" difficulties on the path to unity between Anglicans and Roman Catholics.When Dr Williams met the late Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, the Pope issued a tough warning about "new and serious" difficulties on the path to unity between Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
His remarks were widely interpreted as referring to the new Bishop of New Hampshire, after which religious commentators said the Anglican Communion faced a schism.His remarks were widely interpreted as referring to the new Bishop of New Hampshire, after which religious commentators said the Anglican Communion faced a schism.