Pope Benedict's last day in office is scheduled for February 28. Earlier this month the Pope announced that he would be resigning on the 28th. During a speech he made, he said the following:
"Dear Brothers,
I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry," he said.
"I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the barque of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."
The Pope's last day starts at 10 a.m. GMT where he will hold a final meeting with his 144 cardinals. This will take place in the Vatican in the Sala Clementine. At 11:15 the Pope's went to his retreat Castel Gandolfo and at 12 a Vatican spokesman Frederico Lombardi will hold a press briefing.
The Telegraph reported the rest of the day's events as followed:
"3.45pm GMT: Pope Benedict takes his leave of Cardinal Bertone, Secretary of State and stand-in leader until a successor is elected, in the San Damaso courtyard and is driven to a helipad for his flight to Castel Gandolfo.
4pm GMT: Pope Benedict XVI flies by helicopter to Castel Gandolfo, the papal residence south of Rome, where he will stay for two months.
5pm GMT: Pope Benedict XVI appears at a window overlooking the public square in Castel Gandolfo and blesses the crowd of well wishers.
7pm GMT: Pope's retirement officially begins. "
Benedict said at 11:52 a.m. according to T he Huffington Post, "As you know I am not Pope anymore," he said, then correct himself. "I am still Pope, I won't be anymore after 8pm tonight."
Watch Live Streams of the Pope's resignation here:
From The Telegraph
From The Huffington Post
From The BBC
Check out this live blog from The Wallstreet Journal.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
