Last day of Benedict XVI at the Vatican

February 28, 2013
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Benedict XVI, the first pope in 700 years that presented resignation, departed from the Vatican by helicopter, leaving the throne vacant, on a historic day for the Catholic Church.

The official activities of the last day of the Pontificate kicked at 10:00 GMT with a closed-door meeting in which the cardinals will say goodbye to Joseph Ratzinger, Pope German of 85 years, after eight years on the throne of Peter took the decision to resign ‘for lack of strength.’

At about 16:00 GMT the Swiss Guard held a brief farewell ceremony before Benedict board a helicopter to take him to Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence of the popes, where he lived for two months.

His arrival in this small town southeast of Rome is scheduled 20 minutes later. After a brief greeting from the balcony, will be installed in the sumptuous palace and the doors closed behind them.