Walk together after dinner crossing their impressions on the priority of the Church. Both excited, they give the “you” feel to be the protagonists of an event unprecedented in history. Then the images of the Vatican Television Center show Francis and Benedict in conversation, sitting in a living room. On the low table that divides them lean a white box with documents and within this there is a sealed envelope. Knelt before the image of Our Lady and prayed together.
Images unimaginable until a few weeks ago, two men dressed in white converse as “brothers.” Francis meeting in Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XVI. “The helicopter landed in Castel Gandolfo, the heliport, at about 12:15 and the car retired with the Pope approached the helicopter landing site,” said the Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi.
Francis was accompanied by the Deputy Secretary of State, Becciu and ecclesiastics Wisdom and Alfred Xuereb. Just Bergoglio fell, the Pope Emeritus approached him and “there was a beautiful embrace between the two.”
Then, after brief greetings also to the other people (the bishop of Albano and the Director of the Pontifical Villas, Petrillo) have got into the car. Francis rose to the right, then place in the Pope’s classic, while Benedict is to the left.
There was also on the same machine Monsignor Georg Gänswein, who is Prefect of the Papal Household. And so, the car is then brought to the elevators and then the two protagonists of the historic meeting rose into the apartment and immediately went to the chapel for a moment of prayer.
“In the chapel, the Pope emeritus offered the place of honor to Francis, but he said:” We are brothers, “and wanted knelt together at the same table,” says Father Lombardi.
After a short time of prayer, you are taken to the private library where, at about 12:30, the meeting has begun reserved. And ‘the library where the Pope normally receives important guests in Castel Gandolfo. Francis brought a beautiful icon as a gift to Pope retired and then started the interview ended at 13.15, then lasted about 45 minutes.
“It should be noted, with regard to the clothing, that the Pope emeritus brings a simple cassock white, without end and without mantelletta: are the two details which distinguish it, instead, from clothing of Francis which also has a mantelletta and fascia “said the Vatican spokesman.
The lunch was attended by the two secretaries, Georg Don and Don Xuereb, then look totally private and confidential interview ended with the interview in the Library. The Pope also accompanied heliport Emeritus Francis, when it was time to go back.
“This is not the first meeting-highlights-Father Lombardi. It ‘s the first meeting in person, but Papa Francesco had already asked many times his thoughts to the Pope emeritus is already the Benediction Loggia, on the occasion of the first appearance of the Loggia , and then with two personal calls: the night of the election and the day of St. Joseph to wish”.
So, the interview had already started, even though the meeting the personal, physical had not happened yet. “Let us also remember that the Pope had retired already expressed his unconditional reverence and obedience to his successor at the meeting with the Cardinals, February 28, and then had certainly so in this meeting (which was a time of high, deep communion) to renew this act of reverence and obedience to his successor, and certainly Francis renewed his gratitude and of the whole Church for the ministry of Pope Benedict during his pontificate, “says the director of the Press Office of the Holy See.
“It’s the Madonna of Humility, when I saw it I immediately thought of giving it to you.” With these words Pope Francis gave his gift, icon, Emeritus at Pope Benedict XVI. In prayer together, side by side on the same bench, in the chapel of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo. is the most intense moment of the historic meeting.
Reported Father Lombardi, leaving the Apostolic Palace: “The Pope wanted Emeritus Francis put all’inginocchiatoio of honor placed in front of the altar. But the Pope said: `No, we are brothers’ and wanted to end up together in the same bank to pray.” At the end of any blessing from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace. Tomorrow the Angelus reflection of this historic day.