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Pope Francis (right) met his predecessor, Benedict XVI, at Benedict’s retirement home in the Vatican Monday.
Pope Francis visited his predecessor Benedict XVI Monday to exchange Christmas greetings.
The two men, dressed in white cassocks and skull caps, were photographed meeting at Benedict’s retirement home within the walls of the Vatican.
AP
Pope Francis (right) paid a visit to Benedict XVI Monday at Benedict’s retirement villa in Vatican City, where the pontiffs exchanged Christmas greetings ahead of Francis’ first Christmas Mass.
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Photos released by the Vatican showed the pontiff and the emeritus pontiff chatting in Benedict’s living room, which appeared furnished all in white except for a wooden table.
AP
In this picture provided by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (right) and Pope Francis pray together at the Vatican Monday.
Benedict, walking with the aid of a cane, invited Francis to pray with him in an adjoining chapel.
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Since the 86-year-old Benedict retired in February, he and Francis, 77, have met only once in public at an official Vatican ceremony in July.
On Wednesday, Francis will officiate at his historic first midnight Christmas Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica.
