A reigning pope and a former pope faced each other for the first time in at least 600 years on Saturday when Pope Francis travelled south of Rome for lunch with his predecessor, pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

Crowds are beginning to gather in the central square of Castel Gandolfo in Italy to catch a glimpse of history: Two Popes meeting for lunch and presumably discussing the future of the Catholic Church.

Seeking to end anger in the Islamic world caused by his remarks on holy war, Pope Benedict XVI told Muslim ambassadors today that the two faiths must overcome any historic enmities and together reject violence, saying the future of humanity is at stake.

Pope Benedict prayed today for God to stop the “murderous hand” of terrorists and again condemned recent attacks in Europe and the Middle East that have been blamed on Islamic extremists.