Archbishop to attend Papal Inauguration
Wednesday 20th April 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, is to attend the solemn inauguration of the new pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday 24th April in St Peter's Square in Rome.Dr Williams will become only the second serving Archbishop of Canterbury to attend such an occasion, at least since the Reformation*. The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity has indicated its 'great delight' that Dr Williams will be attending.
Dr Williams has confirmed that he will, again, be wearing the ring presented to his predecessor, Archbishop Michael Ramsey, by Pope Paul VI and a pectoral cross presented to him by Pope John Paul II.
Dr Williams will travel to Rome on Saturday; he will be accompanied by Mrs Jane Williams, the Revd Andrew Norman, Archbishop's Secretary for International and Ecumenical Affairs and by the Revd Jonathan Jennings, Archbishop's Press Secretary.
The Archbishop will return to the UK on Monday.
(*Archbishop Donald Coggan attended the Innauguration of Pope John Paul II in the autumn of 1978.)