Pope Francis Meets Emeritus Pope Benedict: Historic Meeting “Anything But Awkward,” Incumbent Pontiff Says To Benedict “We are brothers”

It is another historic event in a month full of firsts for the Vatican and the Catholic Church. Pope Francis meets Benedict, his predecessor and the first Pope to have resigned in 600 years. The meeting also with a reigning pope and a former pope, is a first, a historic fact as well as a possible challenge, according to numerous commentators.

Amidst the buzz and speculations on what this type of meeting could entail or lead to, USA Today describes that the historic meet between Pope Francis and Benedict at Castel Gandolfo, Saturday, have been anything but awkward.

The two popes embraced each other on the helipad when Francis’ helicopter arrived, Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said on Vatican Radio. The two church leaders where dressed in white, with Pope Francis wearing a cape and sash. The former pope was wearing a simple white cassock.

When the duo entered the chapel, Benedict offered Francis the traditional keeper reserved for use by the pope, however, Francis wanted the pair to kneel together on the same pew. As Lombardi shares, the new pope said to Benedict, “We are brothers.”

The private meeting lasted 45 minutes and Lombardi hailed the event as a “moment of profound and elevated communion.”

Speaking to the Associated Press, Lombardi said that Benedict reiterated his pledge of obedience to the Holy Father on Saturday. When asked the question on how the popes addressed one another, Lombardi shares that he didn’t think they addressed one another as “Your Holiness” or “Pope”, since the conversation between the two is very familiar and warm, not requiring such formal titles and labels.

The new pope also brought a gift to Benedict, an icon of Madonna. It is noted that one of the first acts of Pope Francis was to pray to the Madonna.

The main piazza of Castel Gandolfo, just outside the villa, was packed with well-wishers hoping to catch a glimpse of this improbable and history-making event: two popes breaking bread together. They chanted, “Francesco! Francesco!”

It is not the first time, however, that the two popes have spoken. Francis and the emeritus pope – Benedict’s new title after retirement – had phone conversations several times since Francis’ election. However, as earlier noted, Saturday’s meeting marked the first time two living popes gathered – a reigning pope and a retired pope, Vatican said in a news release.

The Vatican downplayed the meeting, with little success, as it didn’t provide live coverage of the event and only a few photos of the meeting were distributed. Pope Francis is scheduled to return to the Vatican later Saturday afternoon.