Images of the Pope’s departure

In case you missed today's coverage, here are some photos, thanks to Catholic Television. And here is the Vatican Web Site, as of 8 pm today.

Powerful images!

“Dear brothers and sisters, I feel that this Word of God is particularly directed at me, at this point in my life. The Lord is calling me to “climb the mountain”, to devote myself even more to prayer and meditation. But this does not mean abandoning the Church, indeed, if God is asking me to do this it is so that I can continue to serve the Church with the same dedication and the same love with which I have done thus far, but in a way that is better suited to my age and my strength.”

-Pope Benedict XVI, February 24th, 2013

Benedict’s Last Official Speech – a summary of his vision (with commentary)
Pope Benedict's kiss goodbye (CNA editor's son)
Swiss Guards seal gates, leave service of Pope Emeritus
Pope's last words: Thank you for your friendship and love
Benedict XVI pledges respect, obedience to future Pope
Cardinal O’Malley: ‘Difficult to forecast’ pope’s successor
Holy Father's meeting with Cardinals-live
Benedict XVI Vows Obedience To Successor As Pope
More on Benedict’s revolutionary act: his astonishing predictions
Pope's brother slams Cardinal Danneels

Pope's brother gives interview on Papal resignation
Cardinal Wuerl describes spiritual experience of conclave (and work of the Holy Spirit)
Cardinal says next Pope likely to be young (interesting insight into how a pope is chosen)
Cardinal Arinze: Pope's resignation was a 'surprise, like thunder'
French archbishop criticizes Papal decision to resign
Pope announced canonisation of 800 martyrs slaughtered by Muslim troops
FATHER BARRON TO REPORT ON PAPAL ABDICATION (NBC & MSNBC)
Some distinctly non-canonical musings on the status of an ex-pope
Benedict’s Men: U.S. Vocations Strengthen During His Eight-Year Papacy
Pope has 'cleaned up the episcopate,' nuncio says

Benedict XVI's Final General Audience
Pope confident God will guide Church in days ahead (150,000 fill St. Peter's Square)
Pope Recalls "Joy" Of Papacy, And Difficulties
The Papacy and the 'Gay Mafia'
Pope Benedict's new name revealed
Pope Benedict chooses his new wardrobe
Call Me the Optimist – A Meditation on Recent Reports of Crisis and Conclave
Young, new Philippine cardinal has extensive international ties
Cardinal Keith O’Brien resigns, will not go to conclave
Benedict XVI’s new Motu Proprio about the Conclave (date regulations officially changed)

The 'strictest' secrecy: a look at how conclaves work
Pope will change rule for conclave date tomorrow [today]
Pope Benedict says he is not 'abandoning the Church' (tens of thousands fill square)
Communiqué of the Secretariat of State on the upcoming Conclave
Ratzinger's forgotten prophesy (sic) on the future of the Church
Homosexual Network at the Vatican, Yes; Reason for the Pope's Resignation, No
Castel Gandolfo prepares to receive first retired Pope
Vatican slams media for trying to influence papal vote
In Defense of the Papacy: 9 Reasons True Christians Follow the Pope
The Church Doesn't Need a Revolution

The Reason Benedict Resigned [Catholic Caucus]
At B16's Window, A Big "Thank You"... While Behind the Walls, The "Showcase" Begins
Prayers for Our Holy Father Benedict XVI and the Papal Conclave
Pope still extremely Catholic (A look at how media cover Catholicism [and the Pope])
Conclave to silence at least nine tweeting cardinals
Pope Benedict's resignation and the mystery of the missing encyclical
Benedict, Dawkins, and the Fullness of Reason
Benedict XVI: Vatican II as I saw it
Benedict’s renunciation and the wolves within the church
The Left Lobbies for a Liberal Successor to Benedict (and here is why)

Pope Benedict's Future Residence
SCOTT HAHN: Pope Benedict had a profound effect on this former Presbyterian minister
Is the Next Pope the One From John Bosco’s Dream? (Patrick Madrid offers an intriguing twist)
"Re-Elect Pope Benedict" - “Eight more years!”
Who can be elected pope?
The Legacy of Pope Benedict XVI: A commentary by Fr. Barron
More details on papal resignation, conclave (Vatican Press Office)
Church doesn't bend, but endures
Who Will Take Up the Keys of Peter (This is a MUST READ!)
Conclave & The Media: The Silly Season

Cardinal Bertone's Farewell Address to the Holy Father
"Thank You – Let Us Return to Prayer": For the Last Time, The Pope Leaves the Altar
"Today, We Begin A New Journey" – Liturgically Speaking, B16's Last Word
Vatican releases schedule for Pope's final days
Benedict XVI: Reason’s Revolutionary
Some Interesting Tidbits From Today’s Vatican press conference
Pope Decided to Resign After Cuba Trip, Vatican Advisor Says
Pope Says He's Resigning for the 'Good of Church'
Watch for the Anti-Catholics To Weigh in on the Papal Succession
The challenge Pope Benedict has left for his successor—and for ordinary Catholics

Historian Notes Precedents for Papal Resignation
US Will Have Unprecedented Voice In Electing New Pope
Pope Benedict’s Resignation and St. Corbinian’s Bear
Pope Benedict XVI’s Musical Legacy
Benedict announces resignation and lightning strikes
DHS's curiosity piqued over Pope Benedict XVI's retirement and Catholic Prophecy
Prayers for Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict's Devotion to Saint Celestine Signaled His Resignation from the Papacy
Cardinal Sodano to Pope Benedict: “We have heard you with a sense of loss and almost disbelief”
Pope's resignation invokes sadness, gratitude from US bishops

Pope cites waning strength as reason for resignation
Report: Brother Says Pope Was Considering Resignation for Months
Some Notes About the Upcoming Conclave
An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict’s Resignation in Historical Context
Virtually unprecedented: papal resignation throughout history
Pope Benedict XVI:a papal timeline
"I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome" [Full Text]
Pope Benedict's Address on Resignation of the See of Rome
POPE BENEDICT XVI WILL RESIGN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, VATICAN PRESS OFFICE TELLS FOX NEWS

May God bless and keep him. Such a wonderful man.

I hope there is some sort of security force in place now that he no longer has the Swiss Guards. Lots of crazies out there....

I hope there is some sort of security force in place now that he no longer has the Swiss Guards.

Put your mind at ease. The Swiss Guards turned over the responsibility to the Vatican Gendarmerie. They carry artillery.

Thanks for the pics. I had to work yesterday but watched EWTN last night.

I am going to miss this very holy man and wonderful Pope. We will never see him again in this lifetime.

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