2 popes on hand in historic 1st cardinal ceremony

VATICAN CITY (AP) — In an unprecedented blending of papacies past, present and future, retired Pope Benedict XVI joined Pope Francis at a ceremony Saturday to formally install new cardinals who will one day elect their successor.

It was the first time Benedict and Francis have appeared together at a public liturgical ceremony since Benedict retired a year ago, becoming the first pope to step down in more than 600 years. It may signal that after a year of staying “hidden from the world,” Benedict may occasionally be reintegrated into the public life of the church.