Vatican City, Apr 16, 2013 / 11:02 am
Pope Francis made a phone call on the morning of April 16 to wish a happy 86th birthday to his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
The Holy Father also sent greetings to Benedict's brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, who has been at Castel Gandolfo with the retired Pope for several days.
Both Pope Francis – formerly Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio – and Msgr. Ratzinger will celebrate the feast day of their namesake, St. George, on April 23.
The Pope also remembered his predecessor at morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.