Pope Francis meets his predecessor Pope emeritus Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo , Italy on March 23, 2013. A reigning pope and ex-pope faced each other for the first time in at least 600 years when Pope Francis traveled south of Rome to meet his predecessor, 'pope emeritus Benedict XVI'. Francis, who was elected on March 13, arrived by helicopter at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo for a meeting and lunch with Benedict, who has been living here since he abdicated on February 28. The pontiff and Benedict later prayed together in a chapel and held 45 minutes of private talks before starting a lunch. Francis also brought a gift to Benedict, an icon of the Madonna. Photo by ABACAPRESS. COM