Mar 23, 2013 / 09:48 am
Pope Francis met with Benedict XVI on Saturday for the first time since his selection, an historic visit that took place in a fraternal atmosphere.
"We are brothers," Pope Francis told his predecessor before praying side-by-side with him at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
The March 23 encounter marked the first face-to-face meeting between the two since the March 13 election of the new Pope. The encounter is a unique moment in the history of the Church, which has not had a papal resignation in centuries.
Holy See Press Office director Father Federico Lombardi told Vatican Radio about the meeting.