Pope Francis made a Christmas visit to Pope Emeritus Benedict on Monday (December 23) and said he found his 86-year-old predecessor looking well. Francis, who was elected in March, spent about 30 minutes with Benedict in the covent on the Vatican grounds where the former pope has been living in near isolation. 'Happy Christmas, It's a pleasure to see you looking so well,' Francis told Benedict, who last February became the first pope in 600 years to step down instead of ruling for life. Television footage released by the Vatican - only the fourth time Benedict has been filmed since his resignation - showed the 86-year-old Benedict looking alert and much better than in in the past few months. He greeted Francis, 77, at the door of the convent, standing with a wooden cane with an ivory handle and walked into a chapel where the two prayed before speaking privately.