After a brief 15-minute helicopter ride,
Benedict XVI landed at the Vatican City heliport at 16:50. The short journey from the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo took place as scheduled.
A crowd of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square to watch the helicopter fly in.
The Pope Emeritus was greeted by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano and the President fo the Governorate, Giuseppe Bertello.
The Substitute Secretary of State, Mgr. Angelo Becciu the Vatican “foreign affairs minister”, Mgr. Dominique Mamberti and the Secretary General of the Governorate, Mgr. Giuseppe Sciacca, were also present.
Once off the helicopter, Benedict XVI was driven to his new home at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, where Pope Francis was waiting, to give him his usual warm welcome.