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Saturday, March 23, 2013

In a first in 600 years, two popes to meet over lunch -Saturday March 23,2013


Pope Francis flew in to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo in the Alban Hills by helicopter on Saturday March 23,2013 where Pope Benedict XVI has been living since he resigned on February 28, the first pope to step down in 600 years


The helicopter carrying Pope Francis, sitting next to left window, flies on its way to Castel Gandolfo Saturday, March 23, 2013. Crowds are beginning to gather in the central square of Castel Gandolfo to catch a glimpse of history: Two popes meeting for lunch and presumably discussing the future of the Catholic Church.


The Vatican said Pope Emeritus Benedict would be at the helipad in the villa gardens to welcome Pope Francis, and that the two would meet in the former's library and then lunch together.

Pope Francis will then return to his makeshift home at the Vatican hotel at an unspecified time later in the day

Upon arrival, the two went into the chapel to pray. In the chapel, the Pope emeritus offered the place of honour to Pope Francis, but he said: "We are brothers," and he insisted they knelt together at the same table, a Vatican spokesman said.

Francis also brought a gift to Benedict, an icon of the Madonna, and told him that it's known as the "Madonna of Humility."


The meeting lasted just over two hours, and included a 15 minute prayer session, followed by a private meeting in the Pope emeritus' library, and a lunch with advisors

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