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Pope Benedict XVI bids final public farewell

Thursday, Feb 28, 2013, 22:59 IST | Place: Castel Gandalfo (Italy) | Agency: Reuters

Pope Benedict said a final public farewell on Thursday before his pontificate ends, telling a crowd in front of his temporary residence outside Rome that he was preparing to enter the last phase of his life.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims, for the last time as head of the Catholic Church, from the window of Castel Gandolfo where he will start his retirement on Thursday in Rome, Italy.
Pope Benedict XVI waves to pilgrims, for the last time as head of the Catholic Church, from the window of Castel Gandolfo where he will start his retirement on Thursday in Rome, Italy. - Getty Images

Pope Benedict XVI said a final public farewell on Thursday before his pontificate ends, telling a crowd in front of his temporary residence outside Rome that he was preparing to enter the last phase of his life.

"As you know today is different to previous ones. I will only be the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church until 8 pm (1900 GMT/ 2 pm ET)," he said.

"After that I will simply be a pilgrim who is starting the last phase of his pilgrimage on this earth."