Pope Francis and Benedict Copyright: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Makes Christmas Visit to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Christmas Annual Tradition Normally Involves Pontiffs Praying and Speaking Privately

diciembre 26, 2018 13:41Deborah Castellano LubovSpirituality

Copyright: Vatican Media

Pope Francis visited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Friday Dec. 21, 2018, to personally give his Christmas greetings to the Pontiff Emeritus at his residence at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in Vatican City, reported the Holy See Press Office.
Vatican Media took photos of the encounter which we publish here. In recent visits for Christmas, the Pope and Pope Emeritus pray briefly together and speak briefly afterward.

Copyright: Vatican Media

In various occasions, Pope Francis likened Benedict XVI’s presence in the Vatican to having a “wise grandfather living at home.”

diciembre 26, 2018 13:41Spirituality

Deborah Castellano Lubov

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Deborah Castellano Lubov is Senior Vatican & Rome Correspondent for ZENIT; author of 'The Other Francis' ('L'Altro Francesco') featuring interviews with those closest to the Pope and preface by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Parolin (currently published in 5 languages); Deborah is also NBC & MSNBC Vatican Analyst. She often covers the Pope's travels abroad, often from the Papal Flight (including for historic trips such as to Abu Dhabi and Japan & Thailand), and has also asked him questions on the return-flight press conference on behalf of the English-speaking press present. Lubov has done much TV & radio commentary, including for NBC, Sky, EWTN, BBC, Vatican Radio, AP, Reuters and more. She also has contributed to various books on the Pope and has written for various Catholic publications. For 'The Other Francis': http://www.gracewing.co.uk/page219.html or https://www.amazon.com/Other-Francis-Everything-They-about/dp/0852449348/