UPDATE: Two years after resignation Pope Emeritus Benedict said to be doing well

With Pope Francis in the spotlight, many wonder what is happening with Pope Emeritus Benedict, who is keeping true to his pledge to remain out of the public eye. For the curious, we have good news, Pope Emeritus Benedict is doing well, if not even better than before.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Pope Benedict XVI stepped down voluntarily on February 28, 2013 and departed for a retreat at the Papal Villa in Castel Gandolfo. Meanwhile, Pope Francis took office. After his return to the Vatican, it was assured that now Pope Emeritus Benedict would take up residence in a monastery where he would finish his days in prayer and meditation, out of the public eye.

Thus far, Benedict has kept this pledge. He has appeared in public on a few occasions, but insiders say these appearances are only at the request of Pope Francis.

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The two men appear to get along well, although they do not commonly interact. Pope Francis is mostly concerned with the daily affairs of the Church while Benedict continues to spend time in prayer and meditation. Insiders say that he writes and plays the piano from memory, supporting the claim that he is healthier than before.

Pope Benedict has also written several letters including to Italian newspapers to debunk claims that he was forced to step down or that he quit because he had a nervous breakdown of sorts. Other claims say he was forced out because of scandal behind the walls of the Vatican.

Such rumors die hard, but nobody who saw Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 could have questioned that his health was failing. A moveable platform had been installed just so he could continue to perform various duties in public. Many predicted that the venerable pontiff would not last but months longer.

So far, Pope Emeritus Benedict has defied these naysayers. It could be that the peace and tranquility of the contemplative life have resorted much of his health and made it easier for him to function.

All reports are that he is well and doing better than at any time in recent memory.

His rapport with Pope Francis remains strong, and Pope Francis has even likened him to "a wise grandfather" suggesting that the two men meet on occasion and share council. Still Pope Emeritus Benedict remains cloistered, and apparently quite happy.

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