The Anglican Centre in Rome is one of the fruits of the ecumenical spirit engendered at the Second Vatican Council, whose document "Unitatis Redintegratio", states that among the Communions separated from the Holy See, the Anglican Communion occupies a "special place". The Centre was dedicated by Archbishop Michael Ramsey in 1966. The Archbishop was clear that it was to be a place where Christians of different traditions could meet and come to know one another, and that such personal knowledge and understanding would play a vital part in ecumenical progress.

Today, as a place of study, hospitality and prayer, the Centre continues to encourage and assist the relationship between the world-wide Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church. The Director is The Very Rev. David Richardson.