Newly elected Pope Francis has met his predecessor at Castel Gandolfo for lunch, reports said Saturday. Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio was elected to succeed Benedict XVI on March 13.
It is said that this is the first time a Pope meeting a former Pope in more than 600 years. Such a meeting rarely occurs as a new pope is usually elected following the death of his predecessor.
Pope Francis will have a private lunch with Emeritus Benedict XVI, who had resigned, citing ill health. Benedict has been living at Castel Gandolfo since his resignation last month.
Emeritus Benedict is expected to stay on at the papal summer residence until new accommodation is arranged inside the Vatican City by the end of April.
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