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Pope Benedict XVI’s final day as leader of the Catholic Church The pontiff, who resigned Thursday at 2 p.m. Eastern time, promises ‘unconditional obedience’ to his successor.
Feb. 28, 2013
A poster of Pope Benedict XVI with writing reading in Italian," You will stay always with us. Thank you" is seen near Rome's Capitol Hill.
Gregorio Borgia
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AP
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Feb. 28, 2013
Workers dismantle the stage in St. Peter’s Square. On Wednesday, Benedict addressed a massive crowd in his last public address as leader of the Catholic Church.
Dmitry Lovetsky
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AP
Feb. 28, 2013
Assistants prepare the balcony where Benedict will salute faithful upon his arrival at Castel Gandolfo.
Vincenzo Pinto
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AFP/Getty Images
Feb. 28, 2013
Inflatable letters compose the message "Thank You Benedict, we are all with you" in Castel Gandolfo.
Alessandra Tarantino
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AP
Feb. 28, 2013
A decorated faithful stands in a street in Castel Gandolfo.
Vincenzo Pinto
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AFP/Getty Images
Feb. 28, 2013
Nuns eat lunch in front of Castel Gandolfo.
Max Rossi
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Reuters
Feb. 28, 2013
Nuns stand in front of Castel Gandolfo.
Max Rossi
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Reuters
Feb. 28, 2013
Nuns stand in front of the Pope's summer residence, building in the background, in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome. Shortly before 5 p.m. in Rome, Benedict will leave the Apostolic palace inside the Vatican for the last time as pontiff, head to the helipad at the top of the hill in the Vatican gardens and fly to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome.
Andrew Medichini
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AP
Feb. 28, 2013
Benedict will step down as leader of the Catholic Church at 8 p.m. in Rome (2 p.m. Eastern), becoming the first pontiff in 600 years to have retired.
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L’Osservatore Romano via AP
Feb. 28, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message at his farewell meeting with the College of Cardinals at the Vatican. Benedict promised his "unconditional reverence and obedience" to his successor.
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L’Osservatore Romano via AP
Feb. 28, 2013
Two men sit in front of the pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
Andrew Medichini
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AP
Feb. 28, 2013
Faithful wait for Pope Benedict XVI in Freedom Square at Castel Gandolfo.
Maurizio Brambatti
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European Pressphoto Agency
Feb. 28, 2013
People react near a giant screen showing the departure of Benedict from Vatican City.
Stefano Rellandini
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Reuters
Feb. 28, 2013
The helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI aboard flies past St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.
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AFP/Getty Images
Feb. 28, 2013
Faithful gather in front of the pope's summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.
Luca Bruno
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AP
Feb. 28, 2013
Swiss guards stand at the entrance of Castel Gandolfo, which serves as the pope’s summer residence.
Tony Gentile
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Reuters
Feb. 28, 2013
Benedict told the tearful well-wishers that he is beginning the final stage of his life as “simply a pilgrim,” hours before he became the first pontiff in 600 years to resign.
Andrew Medichini
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AP
Feb. 28, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI leaves a balcony at the Castel Gandolfo outside Rome after greeting a crowd upon his arrival.
Ettore Ferrari
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European Pressphoto Agency
Feb. 28, 2013
Vatican personnel seal the door of the apartment of Benedict XVI in Vatican City.
Osservatore Romano
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Reuters
Feb. 28, 2013
The gate of the Apostolic Palace closes after Benedict XVI greeted people for the last time as head of the Catholic Church from the window of Castel Gandolfo.
Franco Origlia
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Getty Images
A Swiss Guard closes the gates of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. Benedict will spend the first weeks of his retirement there while his successor is chosen.
Ettore Ferrari
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European Pressphoto Agency
Feb. 28, 2013
The lights are switched off in Pope Benedict XVI's office at the Vatican.
Claudio Peri
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European Pressphoto Agency
Feb. 28, 2013
A group says prayers for Pope Benedict XVI in the moments before he officially resigned.
Peter Macdiarmid
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Getty Images
Feb. 28, 2013
The clock on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City shows 8 p.m. local time — when Benedict XVI ceased to be pontiff.
Peter Macdiarmid
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Getty Images
Feb. 28, 2013
A priest holds a placard as he watches the helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI depart Vatican City.
Yara Nardi
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Reuters
Feb. 28, 2013
Nuns watch a giant screen showing a helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI on board in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City.
Dmitry Lovetsky
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AP
Feb. 28, 2013
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, gestures as the helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI takes off from the Vatican.
Yara Nardi
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Reuters
Feb. 28, 2013
Nuns follow live coverage of Pope Benedict XVI's departure on a screen in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first pope to retire since 1415.
Carsten Koall
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Getty Images
Feb. 28, 2013
People wave from a window facing the papal residence of Castel Gandolfo. Benedict XVI will stay at Castel Gandolfo until his permanent retirement residence at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery is completed.
Luca Bruno
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AP
Feb. 28, 2013
A helicopter carrying Benedict XVI takes off from inside the Vatican on its way to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. Benedict slipped quietly from the world stage Thursday after a private last goodbye to his cardinals.
Alessandro Bianchi
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Reuters
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Section:/national/on-faith
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