"Pope Francis meets with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in the Vatican in December 2013. Benedict surprised the world by resigning ""because of advanced age."" It was the first time a pope has stepped down in nearly 600 years."
{"Image ImageDescription": "This handout picture released on December 23, 2013 by the Vatican press office shows Pope Francis (R) meeting with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery at the Vatican. AFP PHOTO / OSSERVATORE ROMANO/HO  RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT \"AFP PHOTO / OSSERVATORE ROMANO\" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS-/AFP/Getty Images", "Image Artist": "-"}