Saturday, March 23, 2013

When two popes visit


At 11:45 local time in Rome this morning, the Holy Father Francis left the Domus Sanctae Marthae (where he is living while the Papal apartments are being prepared), and boarded a helecopter at the heleport of Vatican City.  Like his venerable predecessor before him, Pope Francis took to the skies above Rome, and like his predecessor before him, he travelled by helecopter to the town of Castel Gandolfo.

Today, the Pope and the Pope emeritus will spend a few hours together.  The helecopter arrived at Castel Gandolfo only 20 minutes after it left Vatican City, and the Pope emeritus was waiting at the helepad to greet Pope Francis when he arrived.  Also in attendance for the arrival of the Pontiff were His Excellency, Marcello Semeraro, Bishop of Albano (the Diocese in which Castel Gandolfo is located) and Doctor Saverio Petrillo, Director of the Pontifical Villas.


The Holy Father Francis and his predecessor travelled together by car to the Apostolic Palace where they met for cordial and private discussion in the library before sharing lunch together.

Later this afternoon, after the meal is complete, Pope Francis will return to the heleport of Castel Gandolfo and re-board the helecopter for the flight back to Vatican City.

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