DR. RAMSEY MEETS POPE

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31017, 24 March 1966, Page 13

DR. RAMSEY MEETS POPE

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

VATICAN CITY, March 23.

Pope Paul today received the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Michael Ramsey, for the first official meeting between the heads of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches since the 16th century.

The historic encounter began with a brief personal meeting between the two church leaders in an ante-chamber, known as the “Hall of Vestments” near the Sistine Chapel, where cardinals are locked in conclave to elect new Popes.

The only other people present at the preliminary meeting were two Roman Catholic prelates who had welcomed

Dr. Ramsey and two Anglican Bishops accompanying him.

The Pope and Dr. Ramsey then walked to the Sistine Chapel. EQUAL LEVELS

The Pope and the Primate sat in two armchairs, at equal level, placed in front of the Sistine Chapel's altar and below Michaelangelo’s great fresco of the last judgment. The Pope smiled and raised his hands in a sympathetic gesture as Dr. Ramsey, in a formal address, said that on the road to unity “there are formidable difficulties of doctrine." When the two leaders finished their speeches. Cardinals, diplomats and pastors of the Greek Orthodox, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran churches who were present burst into applause. Pope Paul and Dr. Ramsey then rose to their feet, embraced and exchanged a “kiss of peace.”

Duke To Leave.—The Duke of Edinburgh will leave Ottawa thi s morning at the end of his official 16-day tour of North America promoting British exports and raising funds for Varieties Clubs International.—Ottawa, March 23.