Pope Francis paid a holiday visit to his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, Monday — after slamming Christmas commercialism.
“It’s a pleasure to see you looking so well,” Francis, 77, told Benedict, 86, who lives in near-isolation at a former convent on the Vatican grounds.
Earlier Monday, during a daily Mass, Francis bashed Christmas craziness that leaves out God.
“Is there space for the Lord, or is there space only for parties, shopping and making noise?” he said in the residence where he has been staying since his elevation to pope in March.
Francis’ Christmas festivities — his first as pope — start Tuesday with the unveiling on St. Peter’s Square of a traditional Nativity scene named in his honor.
He is expected to watch the ceremony from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking the square, where he will light a candle for peace.
Then, that night, the Argentine pontiff will celebrate the solemn Christmas Vigil Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.
On Wednesday, Francis delivers the “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”) blessing on St. Peter’s Square, where he made his first appearance following his election after Benedict became the first pope in 600 years to step down.
Television footage released by the Vatican showed Benedict looking alert and in better health than on previous occasions. It was only the fourth time he had been filmed since his resignation.
Benedict greeted Francis Monday at the door of his residence, standing with an ivory-handled wooden cane. They walked to a chapel, where they stood and prayed before speaking privately in another room.
As he left Benedict, Francis said, “Merry Christmas, pray for me.”
Benedict responded, “Always, always, always.”
Benedict had resigned on Feb. 28, explaining that he no longer had the physical and spiritual strength to lead the 1.2 billion-member Roman Catholic Church.