Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI will return to the Vatican today to live in a small retrofitted convent. The move comes just two months since his resignation.
Benedict will return just as he left the Vatican on Feb. 28, and will travel by helicopter. It has still not been confirmed as to whether Pope Francis will be there to personally welcome him back but the occasion will no doubt be a photo opportunity.
The return of Pope Emeritus Benedict to the Vatican will certainly present the unprecedented situation of a reigning pope and a retired pope living a short distance from each other.
There is also the reality that Benedict’s personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, will move in with the former pope while he also continues to serve as the prefect of the papal household and has to manage the schedule of Pope Francis.
Benedict’s other secretary, the Rev. Alfred Xuereb, a Maltese priest, who has also been serving as a personal aide to the Argentine pontiff since his election will also be working with Benedict. According to reports the two popes often speak together by phone though they have only met once since Francis’ election. Soon after becoming Pope, Francis traveled to the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo and prayed with his predecessor.
Benedict, now 86, has said he would “withdraw into prayer” and live his final years “hidden from the world.” Many at the Vatican are delighted that he is returning, and will no doubt be there to welcome him home.
