Pope Benedict XVI begins last day of Pontificate
(Vatican Radio) The Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI will come to an end with the
Sede Vacante (“Vacant See”) beginning at 8pm Rome time (7pm GMT). On the last full
day of his pontificate, Pope Benedict will hold a special farewell meeting with members
of the College of Cardinals in the Clementine Hall. At 4.55 p.m. the Pope will bid
farewell to the pontifical household, an depart the Apostolic Palace by car from the
San Damaso Courtyard. From there, he will be driven to the Vatican heliport, where
he will be seen off by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
At 5.15 p.m. he will be flown to Castel Gandolfo, about 30 km from Rome. The Holy
Father will then 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 while in office. At 8 p.m, the reign of the 265th Pope, the 264th
successor of St. Peter, will come to an end, having lasted 7 years, 10 months, and
9 days.Listen:
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