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Pope Benedict leaves after greeting the faithful from the balcony of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, Italy. (AP)
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Vatican City, Feb. 28 (Reuters): Pope Benedict left the Vatican today after pledging unconditional obedience to whoever succeeds him to guide the Roman Catholic Church at one of the most crisis-ridden periods in its 2,000-year history.
The first pope in six centuries to step down, Benedict flew off in a white Italian air force helicopter for the papal summer villa south of the capital where he took up temporary residence.
Bells rang out from St Peter’s Basilica as the helicopter circled Vatican City and flew over the Colosseum and other landmarks to give the pontiff one last view of the city where he is also bishop.
“As you know, today is different to previous ones,” he told an emotional, cheering crowd in the small town of Castel Gandolfo in his last public remarks as pope.
“I will only be the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church until 8pm and then no longer. I will simply be a pilgrim who is starting the last phase of his pilgrimage on this earth.” He turned and went inside the villa, never to be seen again as pope.
In an emotional farewell to cardinals this morning in the Vatican’s frescoed Sala Clementina, Benedict appeared to send a strong message to the top echelons of the church as well as the faithful to remain united behind his successor, whoever he is.
“I will continue to be close to you in prayer, especially in the next few days, so that you are fully accepting of the action of the Holy Spirit in the election of the new pope,” he said. “May the Lord show you what he wants. Among you there is the future pope, to whom I today declare my unconditional reverence and obedience.”
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