After the consistory, Pope Francis and the 17 new cardinals visited Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at his home at Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican.
Benedict received them with a smiling face, and greeted them one by one. After that, he wished them luck for their new appointment as cardinals.
'My prayers are always with you.â?
Pope Benedict asked Pope Francis if they could give them their blessing together, and so they did.
Pope Francis said a warm farewell to the pope emeritus, who is in good shape despite his advanced age, and he encouraged him to keep on taking good care of himself.
'Make sure to eat well!â?
Pope Benedict has made a point to try to meet the new cardinals in each of the three consistories celebrated after his resignation. In the first two, he attended the ceremony, but this time, he decided to open the doors of his house to the newcomers.
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