Pope Francis on Tuesday embraced Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on the 65th anniversary of his predecessor's ordination as a priest, saying "your healthy and joyful sense of humour does us good".
Francis, 79, also told the 89-year-old Benedict, who abdicated in February 2013, that "your loyalty does good to me and the Church. He said that Benedict, a top theologian, "continues to serve the Church with vigour".
Benedict replied: "Thank you for your kindness, I feel protected".
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