Vatican releases communiqué of Pope’s last day

(Feb. 27, 2013) The Prefecture of the Papal Household issued a communiqué on Wednesday of Pope Benedict XVI’s last day as Pontiff, that terminates Thursday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. local time. The communiqué said on Thursday morning, at 11am, there will be a farewell greeting with all of the cardinals present in Rome. Thursday afternoon, the Pope will bid farewell to the pontifical household at 4.55 p.m. departing by car from Vatican’s San Damaso courtyard. There, he will take his leave of Secretary of State officials and then proceed to Vatican’s heliport, where he will be seen off by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of cardinals. At 5.15 p.m. he will leave for Castel Gandolfo, some 30 kms from Rome, where he will arrive after 15 minutes. At 5.30 p.m. he will briefly greet the faithful of the Diocese of Albano from the central balcony of the Apostolic Palace. This will be the last public appearance of Pope Benedict XVI. At 8 p.m. of February 28, the “Sede Vacante” or Vacant See begins. The following day, March 1, Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi confirmed that Cardinal Sodano will officially convoke the Cardinals to Rome. He added that as March 1 is Friday, and general congregations do not take place on Saturday or Sunday, in all probability the meetings will begin on Monday, March 4. The meetings which will determine the start of Conclave among other things, will be held in the New Synod Hall. Finally Fr. Lombardi confirmed that there will be daily press briefings with general information of the Congregations for journalists following the event.