Pope Francis set for historic meet with predecessor

Pope Francis is preparing for a historic meeting with his predecessor Benedict XVI on Saturday - the first time a pontiff will meet a former one since the Middle Ages, with both expected to wear the papal white vestments. Francis's papacy is likely to be highly influenced by the vast intellectual legacy left by his predecessor, experts say, but the memory of the German pope emeritus appears to have faded from the minds of many ordinary pilgrims. Postcards on sale at Francis's inauguration mass pictured the smiling new Argentinian pontiff alongside the much-loved John Paul II - the pope in between, Benedict, had apparently been axed. "This papacy will be rooted in Benedict's teachings. He has been the main intellectual force in the Church for the last 25 years and his legacy will continue to shape it," said Samuel Gregg from the US-based Aston Institute religious think tank. Despite a stark difference in style, there have already been similarities between speeches given by Latin America's first pope and Benedict. Francis has promised "friendship and respect" for all faiths and has said he feels "close" to non-believers. Benedict was a keen promoter of inter religious dialogue and pushed on several occasions for a greater dialogue with atheists. The 76-year-old Argentine pope also praised people who "are in a search for truth, for goodness and for beauty" -- Benedict insisted repeatedly on the "beauty and truth" of the Christian word. Francis has warned against reducing human beings "to what they produce and what they consume," while his 85-year-old predecessor blamed modern society's obsession with consumerism, speed and personal ambition for a loss of faith. Religious expert Peter Seewald said that "it was clear from the first that the new pope wanted to position himself in his predecessor's tracks." "Benedict prepared the terrain and opened the way. Francis will continue to follow in his path, giving priority in particular to new evangelisation and the revelation of a message of love and brotherhood," he said.