In this picture provided by the Vatican newspaper L鈥橭sservatore Romano, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, right, talks with Pope Francis as they exchange Christmas greetings, at the Vatican, Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. AP/L鈥橭sservatore Romano, ho
VATICAN CITY 鈥� Pope Francis visited his predecessor Benedict XVI on Monday for an informal Christmas greeting, as the Argentine pontiff prepares to celebrate his first Christmas as leader of the world鈥檚 Roman Catholics.
Francis met with the 86-year-old Benedict in a former monastery building on a hill inside the Vatican City walls where the pope emeritus has taken up residence following his historic resignation earlier this year.
The two men could be seen praying side by side in a chapel inside the residence and chatting amicably on white sofas with a Christmas garland in front of them in photographs released by the Vatican press service.
Both were dressed in the white cassocks used by popes.
Francis came to 鈥済ive his best wishes for the Christmas celebrations鈥�, the Vatican said in a statement.
The 77-year-old pope earlier on Monday compared the Catholic Church to an expectant mother during a homily at one of his daily masses in the residence where he has been staying since his election by fellow cardinals in March.
鈥淟ike the Virgin Mary, the Church this week is expecting a birth,鈥� Francis said.
鈥淚s there space for the Lord or is there space only for parties, shopping and making noise?鈥� he asked.
The Christmas festivities begin with the unveiling on St Peter鈥檚 Square of a traditional Nativity scene named in honor of Latin America鈥檚 first ever pontiff at 1530 GMT.
Francis is expected to watch the ceremony from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking the square and light a candle for peace.
Then from 2030 GMT the Argentine will celebrate the solemn Christmas Vigil mass in St Peter鈥檚 Basilica.
On Wednesday, Francis delivers the 鈥淯rbi et Orbi鈥� (鈥淭o the City and the World鈥�) blessing at 1130 GMT on St Peter鈥檚 Square 鈥� where he first appeared after his momentous election by fellow cardinals on March 13.
Popes often use their 鈥淯rbi et Orbi鈥� blessings to announce specific prayers, for instance, for the victims of conflicts or for global economic justice.