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Some images from Benedict XVI’s final day as pope (nice summation of the day)
Catholic World Report ^ | February 28, 2013 | Catherine Harmon

Posted on 03/01/2013 2:29:12 PM PST by NYer

Below are some of the most striking images from today, Pope Benedict XVI’s last day as Supreme Pontiff. All images are courtesy Catholic News Service:

Pope Benedict XVI addresses the College of Cardinals at the Vatican Feb. 28, the final day of his papacy. In attendance were 144 cardinals, including many of the 115 younger than 80 who are eligible and expected to vote in the upcoming conclave.

 

A poster erected by the city of Rome thanking Pope Benedict XVI is seen near the Vatican Feb. 28. The poster says in Italian: "You will remain always with us. Thanks."

 

A woman and a Missionaries of Charity nun react as they watch a giant screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, Feb. 28.

 

A helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI takes off from inside the Vatican on its way to Castel Gandolfo.

 

Clergy and seminarians from the Pontifical North American College in Rome watch from the school's rooftop as the helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI departs the Vatican.

 

Pope Benedict XVI greets a crowd gathered for his arrival in Castel Gandolfo. It was his final public appearance before he drew to a close his papacy. "I am a simple pilgrim who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth," he said.

 

People watch from windows before Pope Benedict XVI's final public appearance as pope in Castel Gandolfo.

 

A member of the Swiss Guard closes the main door of the papal villa at Castel Gandolfo at 8 p.m. Feb. 28. The Swiss Guard concluded its protective service to Pope Benedict XVI, signaling the end of his papacy.

 

Vatican workers seal the doors leading to the pope's private apartment in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Feb. 28. Pope Benedict XVI ended his reign pledging unconditional obedience to whoever is elected to succeed him.

 

The statue of Christ the Redeemer, flanked by ones of St. John the Baptist and St. Andrew, is seen in a nighttime view of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 28.

 

This is the Vatican insignia representing a the "sede vacante" (vacant see).


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events
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1 posted on 03/01/2013 2:29:19 PM PST by NYer
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To: netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; Litany; SumProVita; ...

Ping!


2 posted on 03/01/2013 2:30:07 PM PST by NYer (“Beware the man of a single book.” - St. Thomas Aquinas)
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To: NYer

Thanks very much, NYer.
I watched all LIVE on EWTN.


3 posted on 03/01/2013 2:48:20 PM PST by onyx (FREE REPUBLIC IS HERE TO STAY! DONATE MONTHLY! IF YOU WANT ON SARAH PALIN''S PING LIST, LET ME KNOW)
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Upon his election, Pope Benedict implored the faithful to, "Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves."

It's too bad he didn't get enough of those prayers.

4 posted on 03/01/2013 4:15:04 PM PST by ebb tide
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To: NYer

I’m not a Catholic, but I do enjoy watching all the pomp and circumstance surrounding the Pope and the goings-on at the Vatican. I’ve got my issues with Catholic theology... But I think Jesus was serious when he told Peter “upon this Rock...” And such. So... I look forward to the process. Pope Benedict was a good man, a smart and thoughtful leader.

I have my own take on why he’s stepping down, that seems so obvious but nobody seems to be saying it-— it’s because he wants to set a new precedent. He has written at length before he was Pope that he believed that Pontiffs were all hanging on too long, waiting to die in office, long after their bodies and minds had let them down. That it was a better service to the Church to step down -before- you became an invalid. That the Church deserved someone with their full energy and vitality.

A sensible and defensible argument, whether you agree or not. I think he’s taking this step to make precedent— and make it that much easier or perhaps -expected- of future Popes. Anyway... My .02


5 posted on 03/01/2013 4:41:00 PM PST by Ramius (Personally, I give us one chance in three. More tea anyone?)
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To: ebb tide

You really think he resigned because he was afraid? You don’t think it might have been because he’d had two strokes, is functionally blind in one eye, is losing sight in the other eye, has intractable arthritis pain, and now has a heart condition that will prevent him from flying? The people around him, including someone I know, have noted his exhaustion, weakness, illness, and pain. That is not fear but a realistic knowledge of one’s own shortcomings.


6 posted on 03/01/2013 5:51:09 PM PST by ottbmare (The OTTB Mare)
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To: Ramius

I agree. There should be a separation between the man and the office. Furthur, I am sure that the Holy Father knew that his age led to make too many judgement based on friendship ,and his personal kindness would not let tell his friends, you are not cutting it in this role. Take another chair in the choir. He was not at all well served by his staff. It think of the Regenburg Speech where the staff was blind to the need to get the speech to friendly journalists in advance so they could get its substance out before the speech was delivered.


7 posted on 03/01/2013 6:41:25 PM PST by RobbyS (Christus rex.)
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To: ottbmare
Yes, I do think so.

Do you think Pope John Paul II did wrong by not resigning in his last years?

8 posted on 03/01/2013 6:44:20 PM PST by ebb tide
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To: ottbmare

I think he feared his personal collapse into the same state as John Paul II in his last years. At a time when the Church needed him at full strength. If John Paul had resigned in 2000, I think the College would not have chosen Ratzinger, who would have made it clear he would not take the job.


9 posted on 03/01/2013 6:45:46 PM PST by RobbyS (Christus rex.)
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To: ebb tide

I need prayers every day. Don’t you?


10 posted on 03/01/2013 6:47:42 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: ottbmare

Pray for this Holy Father that we do lose not the gifts he still has to share with us.


11 posted on 03/01/2013 6:48:29 PM PST by RobbyS (Christus rex.)
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To: RobbyS
There should be a separation between the man and the office.

I strongly disagree. Previous popes have suffered martyrdom rather than separating from their "office". St. Peter didn't renounce his office.

Nor did Pope Leo XIII who remained Christ's Vicar until he died at the age of 93.

12 posted on 03/01/2013 6:59:22 PM PST by ebb tide
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To: Salvation

I have no idea what you are babbling about.


13 posted on 03/01/2013 7:04:33 PM PST by ebb tide
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To: ebb tide

Why is it so terrible to ask for prayers as the Pope did. I ask for prayers and need prayers practically everyday.


14 posted on 03/01/2013 7:46:14 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
I'm all for prayers.

I only said I didn't think the pope received the benefit of enough prayers (that he had requested) to keep him from fleeing the wolves.

15 posted on 03/01/2013 8:14:57 PM PST by ebb tide
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To: ebb tide
You are referring to two different things. Being concerned for the future of the beloved Church, knowing that one is going to be unable to defend it, is very different from being afraid, having fear, of the wolves that assail her. I am sure he felt no fear. Resigning and leaving the fight to someone younger and stronger, someone who could actually fly to distant cities, is prudence and wisdom, not fright.
16 posted on 03/01/2013 8:44:22 PM PST by ottbmare (The OTTB Mare)
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To: ebb tide

And none of those Popes were flying around the world, nor did they have the kind of schedule that the modern Popes have had.


17 posted on 03/02/2013 6:27:54 AM PST by Not gonna take it anymore (If Obama were twice as smart as he is, he would be a wit)
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To: RobbyS

I knew from the time that he was elected that he was going to become a “transition” Pope.

May God Bless and be with Pope Benedict XVI, Emertius for the remaining time he has.


18 posted on 03/02/2013 3:16:41 PM PST by Biggirl ("Jesus talked to us as individuals"-Jim Vicevich/Thanks JimV!)
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To: Biggirl

I think of his as a continuation pope. His reign was an extension of John Paul II’s and a continuation of his own initiatives. JohnPaul trusted him implicitly, and he accepted the papacy as his cross to bear.


19 posted on 03/02/2013 6:20:02 PM PST by RobbyS (Christus rex.)
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To: ebb tide

Leo XIII was a prisoner of the Vatican. he didn’t do half the stuff that Benedict has had to do. Leo had the luxury of writing in a quiet study, as Benedict did before he became a bishop and up until the time that John Paul became ill. There is a reason why this scholar pope has written so few encyclicals.


20 posted on 03/02/2013 6:29:19 PM PST by RobbyS (Christus rex.)
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