Huwebes, Mayo 2, 2013

Former pope moves back to Vatican



Benedict XVI has moved back to the Vatican, opening an uncertain era in Catholic Church history where an “emeritus pope” and a ruling pontiff will live as neighbours for the first time.
Benedict, the first pope to abdicate in 600 years, will live in a restored convent in the Vatican gardens with a view of St Peter’s Basilica and just a short walk from the residence of his successor, Francis. 

Benedict, 86 and in frail health, arrived by helicopter from Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence south of Rome, where he had been staying since Feb 28 while the convent was restored. 

The Vatican said Francis greeted Benedict at his new retirement home, and the two prayed together in the adjoining chapel. 

It was first time they had met since Mar 23, when Francis visited Benedict at Castel Gandolfo and Benedict renewed a pledge of “unconditional reverence and obedience” to Francis. 

The small building includes a chapel, a library, quarters for his aides, and a guest-room for his older brother, Georg, a monsignor. 

While the presence of a reigning pope and a former one is a new situation, experts say it would only cause difficulties if Benedict tried to influence Pope Francis’s decisions, something he has promised not to do.