Nov. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Pope Benedict XVI and Rowan Williams, the archbishop of Canterbury, reiterated their wish to strengthen the relationship between the Roman Catholics and the Church of England at a meeting in Rome today.

The two spiritual leaders expressed a “shared will to continue and to consolidate the ecumenical relationship between Catholics and Anglicans,” the Vatican said in a statement on its Web site.

They also discussed in the private audience “the challenges facing all Christian communities” and the need “to promote forms of collaboration,” according to the release.

The visit came at a delicate time for relations between the churches, which split in 1534 when King Henry VIII’s request for a divorce was denied by Pope Clement VII. Benedict last month unveiled a special structure to allow traditionalist Anglican ministers, including married ones, and lay people to join the Catholic Church.

To contact the reporters on this story: Chiara Remondini in Milan at cremondini@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: November 21, 2009 08:07 EST