THE Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, and the Pope met last night to talk about Church unity, and agreed that the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches should work closely towards eventual reunion.
Later in the week, they will have private talks about the future of the churches - including the barriers caused by women Anglican priests and the Pope's role in a united church.
Dr Carey, who is on a four-day visit to Rome and Milan, will have a private audience with the Pope tomorrow. Meetings will also take place with influential Vatican cardinals and Anglican leaders.
Last night, the Pope told the Archbishop: "We have been reminded again and again that, even in our sad separation, Anglicans and Catholics have not ceased to be brothers and sisters in the one Lord."
And the Archbishop, who is also the leader of the Anglican Communion, told the Pope: "We recognise and value your own evident commitment to Christian unity.
"In spite of great agreement in faith and practice which the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion have always enjoyed, our churches bear the marks of separation and division."
Later, Dr Carey preached at the American Episcopal Church of St Paul's Within the Walls, where Rome's first Anglican woman priest was recently ordained.
The Pope and the Archbishop will celebrate Vespers together at the Church of San Gregoria al Celio tomorrow.
This is Dr Carey's first official visit to Rome, although he met the Pope in 1992.