Thursday, May 2, 2013

Former Pope Benedict, 86, Moves Back to Vatican; Is 1st Time a Retired Pope and Ruling Pope Coexist

Benedict XVI moved back to the Vatican today (May 2, 2013), opening an unprecedented era in Catholic Church history where an "emeritus pope" and a ruling pontiff will live as neighbors for the first time, according to the Reuters website.

Benedict -- the first pope to abdicate in 600 years -- will live out his retirement in a restored convent in the Vatican gardens with a view of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica and just a short walk from the residence of his successor, Pope Francis.

Benedict, 86, arrived by helicopter from Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence south of Rome, where he had been staying since February 28 while the convent was being restored.

Francis, 76, greeted Benedict in front of the convent, the first time they have met since March 23, when Francis visited Benedict at Castel Gandolfo and Benedict renewed a pledge of "unconditional reverence and obedience" to Francis.

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