Thank you and Goodnight: The last day of Pope Benedictat Vatican

mangaloretoday.com/ Daily Mail

Rome, Feb 28, 2013: Benedict XVI’s time as pope came to a historic end Thursday, as he became the first pontiff in six centuries to resign as leader of the world’s Roman Catholics, who now number 1.2 billion.

Torchlit crowds stood before the gates of the Castel Gandolfo residence, waiting to see the Swiss Guards, the soldiers who traditionally protect the pope, salute and close the doors on the stroke of 8 p.m.

 

 

 

The guards’ departure from the papal summer home brings Benedict’s papacy to a formal end. The protection of Benedict there falls now to Vatican police.

The process of transition to that new pope now begins. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church is without a leader.

Earlier, his final words were given to some 10,000 people who had gathered at Castel Gandolfo to bid him an emotional farewell.

"I am no longer the pope but I am still in the church. I’m just a pilgrim who is starting the last part of his pilgrimage on this earth," he said.

He thanked them for their friendship, on a day "different for me than the preceding ones" -- and indeed almost unprecedented for the Roman Catholic Church.

"I would still -- with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength -- like to work for the common good and the good of the church and of humanity," he said.

"I feel very supported by your kindness. Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the church and the world. Thank you."

Smiling slightly, he made the sign of the cross to bless the crowds and disappeared into the building. It is likely to be the last time he is seen in public.

Benedict, who will now be known as "pontiff emeritus," will spend the next few weeks at the peaceful, hilltop Castel Gandolfo residence before moving to a small monastery within the Vatican grounds.

The first pope to resign in 598 years, his departure ushers in a period of great uncertainty for the church as the cardinals work to elect the next pontiff.


Pope Meets Cardinals in Last Hours as Pontiff


 VATICAN CITY--Pope Benedict XVI pledged obedience to his future successor Thursday, hours before he was due to step down as the leader of more than a billion Roman Catholics, setting the stage for cardinals to elect his successor.

Meeting with cardinals for the last time inside the Apostolic Palace, Pope Benedict said he would remain with them "in prayer" after he steps down at this evening.

 

 

"Among you, the College of Cardinals, is the future pope to whom I pledge today unconditional obedience and reverence," the pope told the cardinals on Thursday.

This evening the pontiff will be whisked from Vatican City by helicopter to the Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer palace overlooking Albano Lake on the outskirts of Rome.

There, he is expected to make his final appearance as pope, greeting a group of faithful and the local parish priest, marking the end of his pontificate.

The pontiff’s retirement thrusts the church into uncharted waters. A living pope hasn’t handed over power in 600 years, meaning the next pope will lead Roman Catholicism with his predecessor just a stone’s throw away.

Pope Benedict, who is a prolific writer and respected theologian, has said he does not expect to withdraw completely from public life.

He will be known as "pope emeritus" and wear white vestments. He will also return to Vatican City once renovations are complete on his future residence: a former convent inside the Vatican’s medieval walls.

"We serve the Church and all of humanity. This is our joy. No one can take that away from us," the pope told cardinals. The so-called "princes" of the church then lined up to individually bid him farewell.

Once the pope resigns, the ring that bears the seal of his authority will be broken. On Thursday the Vatican post office, which serves the world’s smallest state, began stamping letters with a new mark: Benedictus PP. XVI Renuntiat Ministero Petrino.

"I will continue to serve you in prayer, in particular in the coming days, so that you may be touched by the Holy Spirit in the election of a new pope," he said.