Pope Francis Won't Meet With Benedict Yet, Will Celebrate Mass With Cardinals
VATICAN CITY (CBS) – The newly-elected Pope Francis will celebrate Mass Thursday with the cardinals who elected him, but he won't meet with his predecessor just yet.
The Vatican said Francis won't be traveling to the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo as first reported and that a meeting with retired Pope Benedict XVI wouldn't happen for a few days.
The two did talk over the phone Wednesday night.
Francis began his first full day as pope Thursday by leaving Vatican City to pray at a Roman basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
In the afternoon he will lead an inaugural afternoon Mass in the Sistine Chapel.
