HISTORICAL MEETING

1. Newly elected Pope Francis was flown by helicopter

to Castel Gandolfo for the private lunch with Pope
Emeritus Benedict XVI his predecessor for lunch, the
first time such a meeting has been possible for more
than 600 years. They both wore white, though Benedict
was in a simple cassock (talár) without the traditional
sash (selyemöv) and cape (köpeny) wornbyFrancis.

2. The two men embraced on the helipad at Castel

Gandolfo where Francis landed.
3. In the chapel where they prayed together, Benedict
offered Francis the traditional kneeler used by the
pope. Francis refused to take it alone, saying "We're
brothers," and the two prayed together on the side
kneeler.

3. Outside the villa, the two popes eating together and

Benedict offered his pledge of obedience to the new
pope, while Francis thanked Benedict for his ministry.
He said they both wore white, though Benedict was in
a simple cassock (talár) without the traditional sash
and cape wornbyFrancis.
Benedict has been living at the papal summer villa since
he resigned on 28 February citing ill health, the first
pope to step down in 600 years. He has said he plans to
live out his final years in prayer and remain "hidden
from the world". Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio was
elected to succeed him on 13 March. There is no public
record of any previous meeting between a Pope and a
former Pope, as the new head of the Catholic Church is
usually elected after the death of his predecessor.
In 1294, former hermit Celestine V resigned after five
months as Pope. Boniface VIII was elected days later,
and had his predecessor imprisoned.