By Laura Smith-Spark, Ben Wedeman and Hada Messia, CNN

Castel Gandolfo (CNN)–Pope Francis is having lunch Saturday with his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, in what may be an encounter unprecedented in Church history.

Since a new pope usually takes the reins only following the death of his predecessor, this is a rare occurrence.

Francis, who was inaugurated as the new head of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics on Tuesday, has made some changes since taking the helm — most notably by adopting a simpler, personal style and calling for the Church to focus on serving the poor and needy.

The new pontiff was flown to Castel Gandolfo by helicopter for the lunch date.

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via CNN Belief Blog http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/23/new-pope-old-pope-meet-for-lunch/

CNN Belief Blog Eric Marrapodi johalputt

07:13

By the CNN Wires staff

(CNN) – Pope Benedict XVI will keep the title "his holiness" once he retires and will be called "pontiff emeritus," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters at the Vatican on Tuesday.

Benedict surprised the world when he announced this month that he would retire effective this Thursday.

The Roman Catholic Church's cardinals will meet at the Vatican to elect a successor. The election is expected to start in March, though the exact date isn't yet known.

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via CNN Belief Blog http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/26/vatican-reveals-pope-benedicts-new-title/

CNN Belief Blog Eric Marrapodi johalputt

04:58

By Ben Brumfield and Ben Wedeman, CNN

Vatican City (CNN) - Pope Benedict XVI delivered his final public prayer ceremony Sunday to a crowd of thousands at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City.

And he explained his decision to step down.

“Thank you for your affection,” the pope told the crowd as he appeared at the window of his apartment overlooking the square.

As is customary, he opened the weekly Angelus prayer with a short sermon.

Benedict spoke on the Transfiguration of Christ, one of the key moments in Jesus’ life on Earth, when, according to the church, he took three disciples to pray on a mountain. During his prayers, Jesus was miraculously changed and filled with light.

The crowd interrupted Benedict with rousing applause, as he told them that God wanted him to do the same.

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via CNN Belief Blog http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/24/pope-benedict-leads-his-last-angelus/

CNN Belief Blog Eric Marrapodi johalputt

05:13