Archbishop of Canterbury arrives in Rome Friday

(To visit the Vatican before he hosts the 37 Primates of the Anglican Family
on Oct 15 seems a fine preparation by Archbishop Rowan!) --P.T.

VATICAN CITY - 3 October 2003 - 340 words

Archbishop of Canterbury arrives in Rome Friday

The Most Rev Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury and president [first Primate] of the Anglican Communion, arrives in Rome this evening for a three-day visit to the Vatican, including an audience with Pope John Paul (October 4).

He will be met at Rome airport by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and by other Vatican officials.

The archbishop, who will stay at the Venerable English College, will be accompanied by 13 people, including his wife, and representatives of the Anglican Communion. Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, will arrive in Rome tomorrow to participate in the events surrounding the visit.

Today, Archbishop Williams will have talks with Cardinal Kasper and other members of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity as well as talks with Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald, president of the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue. After lunch at the Anglican Centre at the Doria Pamphili Palace, there will be round table discussions with Catholic representatives. Cardinal Kasper will host a dinner at the Santa Martha Residence in the Vatican.

Saturday morning, Archbishop Williams will go to St Peter's Basilica to pray. At 11am he will be received in audience by the Holy Father. He will then visit the excavations under St Peter's and return to the English College for lunch. In the afternoon there will be a press conference at the college, vespers at Santa Maria Sopra Minerva and a ceremony for the official installation of the new director of the Anglican Centre in Rome. Following a reception in the archbishop's honour, a dinner will be offered by the ambassador of Great Britain to the Holy See, Kathryn Colvin.

On Sunday, Archbishop Williams will preside at a Eucharist at All Saints Anglican Church, before his departure for London.