Symbols of Benedict's final hours
2013-02-28 17:31
Vatican City - Pope Benedict XVI's final hours as pontiff
on Thursday will be filled with tradition and symbols that underline the
historic - and novel - nature of his resignation as leader of the Catholic Church.
Benedict will board a helicopter at around 16:00 GMT to
fly to the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo outside Rome, where he
will stay until his powers formally expire at 19:00 GMT.
Here are a few key facts about the day:
Bell: The ancient bell of the Senatorial Palace of the
Capitol - Rome city hall - will ring out three times when Benedict leaves the Vatican for the last time as pope at 16:00 GMT and again at 19:00 GMT.
Last Tweet: One final tweet will appear on the
85-year-old pope's Twitter account @pontifex at 16:00 GMT before it is
suspended until a new pope decides whether he wants to be a micro-blogger too.
Last public remarks: Benedict will come out onto the
balcony of Castel Gandolfo at around 16:30 GMT to bid one last goodbye to local
townspeople before he retreats from the public eye forever.
Swiss Guards: The Swiss Guards will close the doors of
Castel Gandolfo and quit their posts at exactly 19:00 GMT.
The guards - a military corps which dates back to the
15th century - will change from their colourful striped regalia into civilian
clothes and return to Rome.
Seals: Also at 19:00 GMT, Vatican staff will apply seals
to the doors of the papal apartments in accordance with tradition, as well as
to the private lift used to reach the apartments on the third floor of the
Apostolic Palace.
Fisherman's Ring: Benedict will entrust his Fisherman's
Ring - a potent symbol of the papacy that is cast in gold for each new pope -
to the "camerlengo" (chamberlain) cardinal who takes over church affairs
until a new pope is elected.
In a tradition first established to prevent forgeries of
papal documents during the interim period known as the Sede Vacante (Vacant
See), the camerlengo will score the signet ring with an "X" at the
cardinals' first meeting next week.
