Benedict XVI is now a pilgrim who is preparing to journey the last stage of his life. This was his last public lesson. On February 28 at 8:00 PM, the Chair of Peter became vacant.
"Thank you, my heartfelt thanks. Thanks for your friendship and your affection. I am no longer the Pontiff. Starting at 20:00 pm, I will be just a pilgrim who continues his pilgrimage on earth and faces the final stage. Thank you and goodnight," said Benedict XVI to the people in the town square of Castelgandolfo. He will remain there for about two months in the papal residence in this town, while the monastery Mater Ecclesiae, in Vatican City, is being renovated. This will be his home later.
A page in the history of the Catholic Church has been written with unpublished notes. It is new and disconcerting. At the same time, it is serene, hopeful, and open. Benedict XVI, Bishop of Rome, Successor of the Apostle Peter from April 19, 2005 until February 28, 2013, left the Vatican headquarters in a helicopter flying over the city for the last time amid the sound of church bells ringing. It was a long, loud ringing to say goodbye.
From bridges, balconies, streets, and windows of the city thousands of people followed the soft flight of that white machine bearing the flag of the Pope. And many thousands more in the world, through television and the Internet, also witnessed the event, thanks to the excellent coverage of the Vatican television.
It was a farewell, a grateful goodbye that united much of Christianity and many men and women, interested or curious about the decision of a good man who has shown himself to the world, according to the dictates of his conscience, as limited and unable to exercise the government that the Church needs.
At 4:00 PM a message from from the twitter account @Pontifex spread out through cyberspace: "Thank you for your love and closeness. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the center of your life."
Benedict XVI accompanies the Church in prayer as we wait for the new Pontiff.
Benedict XVI accompanies the Church in prayer as we wait for the new Pontiff.
Last message on twitter from @Pontifex February 28, 2013: Benedict XVI @Pontifex
"Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the center of your life."
"Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the center of your life."
Source: Teresian Association website (http://www.institucionteresiana.com)
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