Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI may make a rare appearance at the beatification of Pope Paul VI.
The Vatican's spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi, said: "Everybody hopes to see him for Paul VI's beatification."
Fr Lombardi was responding to a question asking if the retired pontiff would take any part in the current Synod of Bishops on the Family.
He said: "It is not expected that the Pope emeritus will take part in the synod, which is so committing and long.
"Since his resignation, the Pope emeritus has been living a private life in prayer."
The beatification mass will take place on 19th October at the end of the family Synod, and it is thought Benedict XVI will himself want to attend.
As Fr Joseph Ratzinger, Pope Paul VI appointed him the Archbishop of Munich in 1977 and soon after made him a cardinal.
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