VATICAN CITY: The newly appointed Cardinals visited and greeted Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in the presence of the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The visit was at the Mather Ecclesia Monastery after the consistory, a gesture Pope Francis made after every Consistory so far. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI prayed with them and blessed them.

On Saturday afternoon, at the end of the Ordinary Public Consistory, Pope Francis and the new cardinals visited Mater Ecclesiae Monastery to meet Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI for a brief greeting.

After receiving his blessing, along with that of Pope Francis, and praying the Salve Regina together, the new cardinals went to the Apostolic Palace or the Paul VI Hall for courtesy visits, according to the Holy See Press Office.

The visit to Mater Ecclesiae Monastery in the Vatican Gardens has now become a custom, ever since the 2016 Consistory. On the first two occasions in 2014 and 2015, Benedict XVI had taken part in the celebration in St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis' eighth Consistory, created 20 new Cardinals, 16 of whom are under the age of 80, thus electors in a future Conclave, and four non-electors, over the age of 80. He also asked everyone to pray for Ghanaian Cardinal Richard Kuuia Baawobr, the Bishop of Wa, Ghana, who fell ill upon his arrival in Italy on Friday and spent Saturday in hospital.

-VN