Are the parallels even stronger than Celestine and Benedict being the two popes to resign on account of age?
And, of course, when there are two popes, they mutually excommunicate each other.
The fact that the last two popes, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, were not from Italy showed the "internationalization" of the papacy, he said.
Outside the villa, the main piazza of Castel Gandolfo was packed Saturday with well-wishers hoping to catch a glimpse of history: two popes breaking bread together and presumably discussing the future of the Catholic Church.
That the former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was second only to Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in the 2005 conclave that elected Ratzinger pope has only added to the popular imagination about how these two popes of such different style, background and priorities might get along.
Perhaps over their primo, or pasta course during Saturday's lunch, the two popes might discuss the big issues facing the church: the rise of secularism in the world, the drop in priestly vocations in Europe, the competition that the Catholic Church faces in Latin America and Africa from evangelical Pentecostal movements.
All of which led to enormous speculation about what these two popes might have said to one another after making history together: Benedict's surprise resignation paved the way for the first pope from Latin America, the first Jesuit, and the first to call himself Francis after the 13th century friar who devoted himself to the poor, nature and working for peace.
Exceptional is the fact that he has Knighthoods from two Popes: His Holiness the late Pope John Paul II honoured him as Knight of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St Sylvester (KSS), and His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI has further elevated him to Knight Commander of the said order (KCSS), in recognition of his pursuit of peace and culture amongst nations.
UNESCO: Detailview | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
It is true that the new pope's age (76) did raise eyebrows, given the leadership vacuum that two ailing popes have created.
Francis may take some getting used to, after the two great popes who came before him, but he is a humane and gentle pastor who will win over hearts as well as minds.
Papal historian Anura Guruge, author of two books about the papacy and creator of a database of past popes, said there is some aversion among cardinals who select the pontiff to long papacies.
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