The papal resignation
picture alliance / dpa | Alessandro Di Meo
On the evening that Benedict XVI announced his resignation, St. Peter’s was struck by lightning.
picture alliance / dpa | Alessandro Di Meo
The shock:
During a consistory on February 11, 2013, Benedict XVI announced his resignation from the Petrine Office in Latin. It took a while for all of the cardinals present to understand what had just happened.
Osservatore Romano/Romano Siciliani/KNA
Pope Benedict XVI leaves the room after announcing his resignation during a consistory at the Vatican.
IMAGO / United Archives International
Thank you, Holy Father!
Benedict XVI received one last enthusiastic greeting from the faithful during his final general audience in St. Peter’s Square on March 27, 2013.
KNA/Paul Haring/CNS photo
End of the pontificate:
A Swiss Guardsman closes the door of the papal estate in Castel Gandolfo after the final public appearance of Pope Benedict XVI on February 28, 2013, the day of his resignation.
IMAGO / epd
Tens of thousands of pilgrims came to Benedict XVI’s final general audience in St. Peter’s Square. Carrying their messages on banners, they expressed their gratitude and their sympathy for the departing 85-year-old head of the church. “I am truly moved,” Benedict said in his address.
picture alliance / AP Photo | Uncredited
One final greeting and a blessing for the large crowd of the faithful who had gathered in Castel Gandolfo, and then the pontificate of Benedict XVI was history.
picture alliance / dpa | Bernd von Jutrczenka
One final greeting and a blessing for the large crowd of the faithful who had gathered in Castel Gandolfo, and then the pontificate of Benedict XVI was history.
picture alliance / dpa | Bernd Von Jutrczenka
The helicopter circled the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, then Pope Benedict XVI flew over Rome from the Vatican to Castel Gandolfo on February 28, 2013. His time in office ended at 8:00 pm.