Leaders united despite differences

The Archbishop of Canterbury is due to pray with Pope Benedict in Rome this weekend.

The two leaders will set aside differences over issues such as the ordination of women, as they celebrate vespers together on Saturday, as part of the 1,000th birthday celebrations for the historic Camadoli monastery.

The monastery, which is a place of veneration in the Catholic, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox traditions is thought to have been founded by Saint Romuald, an ascetic monk respected for his life of holiness.

Archbishop Rowan and Pope Benedict will also spend some time together in private discussions, which may centre upon the dispute over the ordination of women, particularly the possible move to ordain women as Anglican Bishops.

The decision by the Roman Catholic Church to welcome Anglican priests into its fold as part of the Ordinariate has also been the cause of some dispute.

But in spite of their differences, the two men have maintained a friendly relations and are expected to enjoy a cordial meeting, their first since they met in Assisi last year.