Pope Francis Visits, Dines with Pope Emeritus Benedict
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Photo by Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images(VATICAN CITY) — A historic meeting took place Saturday morning when Pope Francis met for lunch with the Pope Emeritus Benedict.
Pope Francis took a helicopter to meet with the former pope at Castel Gandolfo for a private lunch. The castle has been the home of the pope emeritus since he resigned the post last month. Benedict was the first pope in six centuries to resign, according to BBC News.
Father Lombardi, a Vatican spokesman told reporters that the two popes embraced when they met, before going to the chapel to pray. According to reports, Benedict told Pope Francis to pray on the pontifical pew, but Francis declined. The two prayed together, kneeling at another pew.
Pope Francis gave the pope emeritus an icon depicting The Madonna of Humility, chosen to represent the humility Benedict had shown while serving as pope.
According to BBC News, Saturday’s meeting involved the sharing of details related to the handover of the pontificate, including a document related to last year’s scandal surrounding leaked documents.
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