Pope Benedict says goodbye to the thousands of people who came to Castel Gandolfo to show their support. Credit: EWTN.
Posted on 02/28/2013 1:50:21 PM PST by NYer
.- After the 15-minute helicopter trip to Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict XVI offered a word of thanks to the thousands of people who traveled there to support him in has last hours as Pope.
“I am happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of Creation and your sympathy that does so much good for me. Thank you for your friendship and love,” the Pope said at around 5:30 p.m. from the balcony of his villa.
“You know that today is different than previous ones. I’m no longer the Pope. Until 8:00 p.m. I am, but then afterwards I am no longer Pope of the Catholic Church,” he said.
Pope Benedict then offered a window into how he sees this stage of his life.
“I’m simply a pilgrim that is starting the last stage of his pilgrimage on Earth,” he remarked, “but I would still like with my heart, with my love, with my prayer, with my reflection, with all my inner strength to work for the common good of the Church and of humanity, and I feel very supported by your sympathy.
“Let’s go ahead together with the Lord for the good of the Church and of the world,” he said as he finished his brief greeting.
Pope Benedict XVI then gave his last papal blessing to the crowd.
“Thank you. And now I impart to you the Lord’s blessing with my whole heart. May God bless you Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Thank you and good night. Thanks to all of you.”
Don’t say those were Benedict’s “last words”. May he live a long, peaceful life in retirement.
Here’s a question that’s been on my mind: Now that Benedict has resigned as Pope is he still considered to be infallible or did that quality of his go *poof* when his resignation took effect?
The office of the Supreme Pontiff has the ability to infallibly on matters of faith and morals, ex cathedra teaching.
Benedict XVI is no longer Supreme Pontiff and thus is no longer responsible for teaching the universal church.
A great and detailed explanation, with scriptural references, can be found here: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07790a.htm
Thank you for your kind replies. I was quite serious about the question and I appreciate your thoughtful responses.
Megan
Last words: “So long and thanks for all the fish.”
He died?!!
No ... these were his last words as pontiff. He will now enter a monastery and devote the remainder of his life to prayer.
First thing I thought, too.
[we’re both going to hell]
;D
Good luck in retirement.
(somehow I can hear Al Dvorin saying “Benedict has left the building, thank you and good night”)
You are quite welcome! It is often misunderstood. It doesn’t help that English isn’t well suited when it comes to liturgical concepts.
- Pope John XXIII, before his death in 1963
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Thank you for sharing that citation from Pope John XXIII. He had such a cherubic face and happy demeanor. I realized the other day that I have seen 6 popes so far, in my lifetime. The 7th will be with us very soon.
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