Archbishop welcomes Pope to historic meeting

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams welcomed Pope Benedict XVI to Lambeth Palace today for a historic meeting between the two religious leaders.

The second day of the UK tour saw the Pope rail against celebrity, science and secularism.

Meanwhile five men, employed as street cleaners for a firm contracted by Westminster City Council, were arrested by police investigating a suspected plot to harm the Pope.

His spokesman said the Pope was informed of the arrests as he began his busy schedule and was “totally calm”.

The Pope’s visit to Lambeth Palace marks the first occasion a pontiff has visited the Archbishop’s official residence.

Also in the welcoming committee were the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan and the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, Most Rev David Chillingworth.

Lambeth Palace, on the south bank of the River Thames, has been the London residence of archbishops of Canterbury since the 13th century.

It acts as a home for the Archbishop and his family when in London and as the central office for his ministry.