Shortly after 5:00pm local time in Rome this afternoon, the last of His Pontificate, the Holy Father Benedict XVI left the Apostolic Palace. The helecopter left from the Vatican heleport and travelled to Castel Gandolfo where it arrived some fifteen (15) minutes later.
At 5:38pm, the Holy Father appeared on the central balcony of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo and spoke to the faithful of the Diocese of Albano gathered in the courtyard below. These were his final words of greeting:
Thank you. Thank you all.
Dear Friends,
I am happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of Creation and your well wishes, which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship and your affection. [applause] … You know that this day is different for me than the preceding ones. I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8:00 this evening and then no longer. I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this earth. But I would still [applause] ... thank you… I would still—with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength—like to work for the common good and the Good of the Church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your kindness. Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world. Thank you. I now wholeheartedly impart [applause] my blessing.
Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!
At 5:38pm, the Holy Father appeared on the central balcony of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo and spoke to the faithful of the Diocese of Albano gathered in the courtyard below. These were his final words of greeting:
Thank you. Thank you all.
Dear Friends,
I am happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of Creation and your well wishes, which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship and your affection. [applause] … You know that this day is different for me than the preceding ones. I am no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8:00 this evening and then no longer. I am simply a pilgrim beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this earth. But I would still [applause] ... thank you… I would still—with my heart, with my love, with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength—like to work for the common good and the Good of the Church and of humanity. I feel very supported by your kindness. Let us go forward with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world. Thank you. I now wholeheartedly impart [applause] my blessing.
Blessed be God Almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!
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