Sarah Mullally first woman to lead Church of England

Sarah Mullally was on Friday named the new Archbishop of Canterbury, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England - which can trace its origins to the Roman empire - and the global Anglican community.

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Her nomination by a committee tasked with finding a successor to Justin Welby, who stepped down earlier this year over an abuse scandal, has been approved by King Charles III, the UK government said.

The Church of England is the mother church of global Anglicanism. Mullally, 63, becomes the church's 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, the first having been appointed in the late sixth century.

In a statement, the former nurse acknowledged the "huge responsibility" of her new role, but said she feels a sense of "peace and trust in God to carry me".

Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the appointment of the first woman to hold the role.