"You know that today is different
from others . . . as of 8 pm I will no longer be the Supreme Pontiff of the
Catholic Church. I will simply be a pilgrim who is beginning the last part of
his pilgrimage on earth. But with my heart, my love, my prayer, with all my interior
strength, I will work for the common good and the good of the Church and all
humanity," said Benedict XVI as he greeted the people of Castel Gandolfo as pope for the last time. It was just past 5.30 pm on the last day of his pontificate. A few thousands of the faithful had crowded the square in the small Italian town not far from Rome, Italian, Vatican and German flags in the background. "Thank you Benedict. We are with you!"someone scrawled on a building.
As for Benedict XVI, he thanked "his friends" in a town he is known to love. "I am happy to be here with you, surrounded by the beauty of Creation and your friendship that does me so much good, thank you for your friendship, for caring," he told the crowd. "I feel greatly supported by your affection. Let us move forward together with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world."
In his last message on Tweeter, he wrote, "Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives."
Earlier in the afternoon that ended his pontificate, just before 5 pm, Benedict XVI arrived, an unusual walking stick his hand, in the Vatican's innermost courtyard, that of San Damaso, where, flag at full mast, Swiss Guards stood at attention. The small space was filled with officials and employees from the Secretariat of State, some of their relatives and other Vatican employees. There was no ceremony, only the pope's greeting for those who had worked closest with him.
At exactly 5 pm, the pope got into his car and left the Apostolic Palace for the last time after seven years, ten months and nine days, driven by the Lourdes Grotto to reach the heliport.
In St Peter's Square people still lingered. Across from the heliport, a banner hanging from a building read, "Grazie! (Thank you!)". As the helicopter took off, the bells of Rome and Castel Gandolfo rang out; moved, people applauded.
The aircraft then proceeded to fly over the Eternal City: St Peter's Square, the Coliseum and the Basilica of St John, the cathedral of the pope's own diocese.
Upon his arrival in Castel Gandolfo, a smiling Benedict XVI was welcomed by a small group of dignitaries that included Card Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State; Mgr Marcello Semeraro, bishop of Albano; Castel Gandolfo's parish priest, Fr Pietro Diletti; the town's mayor, Milvia Monachesi; and Saverio Petrillo, director of the Pontifical Villas.
Benedict XVI should remain in Castel Gandolfo for about two months, until the Mater Ecclesiae Convent inside the Vatican is fully restructured.
Tonight, at 8 pm (CET), 17 days after the pope announced his resignation, the Swiss Guard will end its service at the Papal Palace in Castel Gandolfo.
Then, the building's gate will be closed.