The long-awaited meeting between former Pope Benedict XVI and his successor, Pope Francis, went better than anyone had prayed for. Greeting each other on the helipad where Francis’ helicopter arrived, the two instantly embraced and appeared overjoyed to be together. Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi said the 45-minute meeting went incredibly smoothly. When the two entered the chapel to pray together, Benedict offered Francis the kneeler designated for the Pope. Francis allegedly insisted that Benedict kneel with him, telling the former Pope: “We're brothers.”
