Pope Francis has sent holiday greetings to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a telephone call.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, confirmed the telephone conversation between the Pope and his predecessor yesterday.
“In a brief conversation, [Pope Francis] greeted and wished a Happy Christmas to his predecessor,” the director of the Holy See Press Office confirmed. Fr. Lombardi said the conversation took place on Tuesday.
Earlier this month, Archbishop Georg Ganswein, Prefect of the Papal household and personal secretary to Benedict XVI, confirmed that the Pope Emeritus will spend the Christmas season with his brother.
Rome Reports news agency reported that Archbishop Ganswein told journalists that Fr. Georg Ratzinger will arrive at the Pope Emeritus’ residence after Christmas and will stay till the end of January. (J.A.E.)
