Somewhat like an out of work college grad moving back in with the parents, Benedict XVI came back to his new retirement home, a converted monastery behind St. Peter’s Basilica. “I’m calling it a ‘Pope-astery’ now” he said, “and they gave me a really good deal on the rent.”
The implications of having two popes living alongside one another inside the Vatican were elevated by concerns when Benedict chose to be called ‘The Other Pope’ rather than ‘Emeritus Bishop of Rome.’
“I missed the Vatican more than I thought and I hope I’m not in the way. If Pope Francis and I happen to meet in the hall on the way to breakfast I’ll work it out with him as to who gets in the elevator first” he said as he adjusted to life with only 4 nuns and a personal assistant to wait on him hand and foot.
Pope Francis has garaged the ‘Pope-Mobile’ in favor of the bus so Benedict will at least have wheels to cruise to the Via Veneto for his mid-afternoon latte and gingerbread biscotti. “The gardens outside my door are attractive but I like to people watch” he said.
Benedict hoped his presence would help with the long lines at communion. “2 Popes, no waiting” he intoned. “I’ll help the new guy out with almost anything but those pesky law suits about the pedophilia I knew nothing about.”
He also raised eyebrows when he chose to continue wearing the white cassock of the papacy. “If you mistake me for him from the back, I won’t mind.”
“I miss the pomp of it all and, of course, the ‘deviled eggs’ they used to make for me. Just knowing there was a devil in the name, made it a little naughty” he said with a glint in his eye.