Pope Francis bid farewell to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI this morning, who is departing for Castel Gandolfo. The Pontiff Emeritus will spend the next two weeks on vacation at the Papal Residence.
A statement by Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, said that the Holy Father and his predecessor spoke privately for 30 minutes.
The departure follows an invitation made by Francis last year to spend some time at the papal residence near Rome for the summer.
Following his resignation in 2013, Benedict XVI spent some time in Castel Gandolfo before beginning his life of prayer and reflection at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in Vatican City State.
Castel Gandolfo had been traditionally the residence where the Pope would spend a bulk of the hot summer weeks, though Pope Francis has not chosen to spend his summers there.
