Vatican City, 27/02/2013. Today, about 200.000 people gathered in St Peter's square to witness the historic final speech (last Udienza Generale del mercoledí) of Pope Benedict XVI, the first Pope to have resigned from his post in 600 years. Tomorrow, the Pope will depart from the Vatican (and from public life). Leaving by helicopter, he will spend two months living as a pilgrim at the Papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, while the Conclave elects a new Pope. He will then return...
more »

Vatican City, 27/02/2013. Today, about 200.000 people gathered in St Peter's square to witness the historic final speech (last Udienza Generale del mercoledí) of Pope Benedict XVI, the first Pope to have resigned from his post in 600 years. Tomorrow, the Pope will depart from the Vatican (and from public life). Leaving by helicopter, he will spend two months living as a pilgrim at the Papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, while the Conclave elects a new Pope. He will then return to the Monastery Mater Ecclesiae in the Vatican gardens, which will be his retirement home, though he will still serve as a Pope Emeritus.
« less