(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis had words of welcome today as he greeted Benedict XVI,
now Pope Emeritus, who returned to take up residence inside Vatican city. Linda
Bordoni reports...
In style with his own personal manner, Pope Francis left the formalities
of a welcoming ceremony to Vatican authorities, who awaited the arrival of the Pope
Emeritus at the Vatican heliport. These included Cardinals Bertello - President of
the Governatorate, Bertone - Secretary of State, and Sodano - the deacon of the College
of Cardinals as well as some bishops.
But Pope Francis was awaiting his predecessor
at the entrance to the “Mater Ecclesiae” Monastery in the Vatican Gardens where Benedict
will be residing. Together they preceded to the chapel for a brief moment of prayer.
The Pope Emeritus left the Vatican on February 28th after his resignation,
and had been staying at the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo in the Alban Hills. He
chose to leave the Vatican immediately after his resignation to physically remove
himself from the process of electing his successor.
His absence also gave workers
time to finish up renovations on the monastery on the edge of the Vatican gardens
that until last year housed groups of cloistered nuns who were invited for a few years
at a time to live inside the Vatican to pray for the Pontiff and Church at large.
In the small building, with a chapel attached, Benedict will live with his
personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, and the four consecrated women who
do the housekeeping and prepare his meals. Inside the building, Benedict has at his
disposal a small library and a study. A guest room is available for when his brother,
Monsignor Georg Ratzinger, comes to visit.
Today’s was not the first meeting
between the Pope and the Pope Emeritus. In fact Francis visited Benedict in March
in Castel Gandolfo, and they have spoken by telephone. It is however the first time
in history that a Pope and a Pope Emeritus will be next-door neighbours!