Pope visits Anglican church near Vatican

On Sunday, Pope Francis became the first Roman Catholic pontiff to visit an Anglican parish in Rome, using the historic occasion to press for greater closeness after centuries of mistrust, prejudices and hostility. Francis and the Anglican bishop in Europe, Robert Innes, prayed side-by-side in All Saints Church not far from the Spanish Steps. Innes praised the Roman Catholic leader for his solidarity with refugees and migrants. Anglicans split from Catholicism in 1534, after England’s King Henry VIII was denied an annulment. The churches are trying to develop bonds despite deep differences on such issues as ordaining women and allowing openly gay bishops.