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NEWS

Clergy and Vatican workers wave from a rooftop as the helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI leaves the Vatican on its way to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Feb. 28.

Pope Benedict's last trip is 15-minute helicopter ride

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI's final trip as pope was a 15-minute helicopter ride from the Vatican to the papal summer villa at Castel Gandolfo.

Pope Benedict XVI blesses people gathered in the town square after arriving in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Feb. 28. It was his final public appearance before he drew to a close his papacy. "I am a simple pilgrim who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth," he told the crowd.

Pope says he's going from humble servant to simple pilgrim

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CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (CNS) -- Pope Benedict XVI, who began his papacy describing himself as a "humble servant in the Lord's vineyard," described his retirement as a time of being a "simple pilgrim, who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth."

William Whatcott

Supreme Court's Whatcott decision disappoints religious freedom advocates

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OTTAWA - A Supreme Court of Canada decision in the case of William Whatcott has disappointed religious freedom and free-speech advocates.

Mexican seminarians who study in Rome hold a sign in Spanish saying, "The greatness of a man in the humility of a pope," as they wait for the start of Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 27.

Faithful throw big farewell at Pope's last general audience

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VATICAN CITY - The last general audience in St. Peter's Square turned into a farewell party with balloons, flowers, flags, posters, cheers, standing ovations and a touching thank-you speech from Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Benedict XVI leads his final Angelus as Pope from the window of his apartment overlooking St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican Feb. 24. His papacy officially ended Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. Rome time.

Pope’s final Angelus draws 150,000+

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VATICAN CITY - In one of his last public appearances, Pope Benedict XVI told an overflow crowd in St. Peter's Square Feb. 24 that his upcoming retirement does not mean he is abandoning the church, but that he will be serving it in a new way, through prayer and meditation.

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives to lead his final general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 27.

Pope delivers personal, emotional farewell address at audience

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VATICAN CITY - On his last full day as Pope, Pope Benedict XVI delivered an unusually personal and emotional farewell address, thanking the faithful around the world for their support and assuring them that he would remain in their service even in retirement.

Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd as he leads his final general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Feb. 27.

Pope offers thanks to God for support over the years

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The following is the text from Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience at the Vatican Feb. 27.

Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be known as Pope Benedict and addressed as "His Holiness," but after his resignation, he will add the title "emeritus" in one of two acceptable forms, either "Pope emeritus" or "Roman pontiff emeritus."

Pope Benedict to be 'Pope emeritus'

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI will continue to be known as Pope Benedict and addressed as "His Holiness," but after his resignation, he will add the title "emeritus" in one of two acceptable forms, either "Pope emeritus" or "Roman pontiff emeritus."

While @Pontifex hibernates during interregnum, @TerzaLoggia set to fly

While @Pontifex hibernates during interregnum, @TerzaLoggia set to fly

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VATICAN CITY - The Pope's @Pontifex Twitter fans will get two more tweets before the account goes into "hibernation" during the "sede vacante" period starting when Pope Benedict XVI steps down.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi

Vatican denounces press reports on papal transition

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VATICAN CITY - Vatican officials released a pair of unusual statements Feb. 23 condemning some press coverage of the papal transition.

Cardinal Keith O'Brien of St. Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland, is pictured after a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this Nov. 21, 2010, file photo. Cardinal O'Brien, 74, announced Feb. 25 that he will not participate in the conclave to elec t Pope Benedict XVI's successor. His resignation was accepted by the pope Feb. 18. The cardinal has been accused of "inappropriate conduct" by three priests and a former priest. He has denied the allegations.

Pope accepts cardinal's resignation; he'll stay away from conclave

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VATICAN CITY - Scottish Cardinal Keith O'Brien, 74, announced he would not participate in the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI's successor because he did not want media attention focused on him instead of the election of a new pope.

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