On Easter Monday, the Bishop of London, The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Sarah Mullally, embarked on an 100km pilgrimage across part of the Via Francigena. The Via Francigena is a major pilgrimage route, dating back to the Middle Ages, and the complete journey spans all the way from Canterbury to Rome. It is a significant part of both Roman Catholic heritage and Anglican heritage, given the route was originally travelled by Sigeric the Serious, an early Archbishop of Canterbury, in 990 AD.

Shortly after setting off from Montefiascone, she received the news about the death of Pope Francis, whose funeral has been set for tomorrow (26 April).

The Bishop of London will be attending the funeral service as part of a delegation from the Anglican Communion, led by the Most Revd Marinez Bassotto, the Archbishop of the Igreja Episcopal Anglicana do Brasil, who serves on the Standing Committee of the Anglican Communion as the regional Primate for the Americas. See here for further details about the Anglican Communion representation: https://www.anglicannews.org/news/2025/04/anglican-communion-representatives-will-pay-respects-at-funeral-of-pope-francis.aspx

Reflecting on her experience of the Via Francigena pilgrimage, the Bishop of London said,

“The pilgrimage was a bit like life; you meet people on The Way for sometime, and then you part. On my travels I have had the privilege of meeting many followers of Christ – from an English teacher from the USA to a group of teenagers carrying a rather long stick.

“The road was winding, traversing up and down with the contours of the land. At moments you feel that you are not sure you can walk on but take one step at a time, emboldened by a sense of something greater guiding and protecting you. Walking gives a rhythm to think about God, life and the email you didn’t send. When you stop even the simplest glass of water tastes great.”

“We are all pilgrims in life, and I am humbled to think that my walk has taken me into Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral.”