He will continue to be called "His
Holiness Pope Benedict XVI", his title will be "Pope Emeritus" or Roman
Pontiff emeritus, he will "wear the simple white cassock, without a
cape, he will not wear the characteristic red shoes, but" is that the
Pope is 'very happy' with the shoes gifted him in Leon on his last
visit to Mexico and expects to continue to use them because they are
very comfortable".
And finally, he will no longer wear the "fisherman's
ring", because it is linked to the pontifical ministry, both it and the
seal "will be destroyed".
Theses are the formal aspects of the future of
the Pope - which he agreed to himself - after 8pm February 28, as
described today by Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the
Press Office of the Holy See.
At that time the Swiss Guard will step
down from active duty, because their service is specifically linked to
the papal ministry.
The great door of the palace of Castel Gandolfo will
be closed.
Of course the Vatican Gendarmerie will continue to ensure
safety.
This will mark the end of his pontificate, but on Tuesday Benedict
XVI's day followed routine, no audiences and no public discourses.
While "many messages of farewell, closeness and gratitude," have arrived
from all across the world also from "personalities of great
importance," his final days are dedicated to prayer - at this time the
whole Church is invited to pray - and to preparation for tomorrow
appointments and those of the day after tomorrow "as well as preparation
of the move, sorting between documents of a more personal nature and
those relating to the Petrine ministry."
Tomorrow, for his last
general audience, the prefecture of the pontifical household has already
distributed 50 thousand tickets. Of course, people can come, even
without a ticket.
"The audience program is more or less the usual, with a
longer tour of the square among the faithful. There will be a regular
catechesis, but in some way related to the fact that this is the last
audience."
After the general audience there will be a "baciamano" in the
Clementine Hall, from some leading figures, among others, the President
of Slovakia, the captains regent of San Marino, the president of
Bavaria, the Prince of Andorra.
On Thursday morning, at 11, there will be a farewell greeting with
all of the cardinals present in Rome. Large numbers are expected even if
the exact number is not yet known. There will be a greeting from the
dean of the College of Cardinals and then the Pope's personal greetings
to individual cardinals.
In the afternoon, the Pope will bid
farewell to the pontifical household at 16.55, departing by car from the
San Damaso courtyard. There will be Secretary of State officials and
the Swiss Guard bearing the flag.
From there, the Pope will go to the
heliport where he will be greeted by the Cardinal dean.
Shortly after 17oohrs
he will leave for Castel Gandolfo, where he will arrive at 17.15.
At
17.30 he will make a brief greeting to greet the faithful of the Diocese
of Albano from the central balcony of the Apostolic Palace. This will
be the last public appearance of Benedict XVI.
At 20:00 hundred hours the Vacant See begins. The next day, March 1,
the Cardinal Dean will send an official letter of invitation to all
Cardinals. Given that March 1 is Friday, probably the general
congregations will begin "as soon as possible", but not on Saturday or
Sunday, "in all probability Monday, March 4."
The meeting's will take
place in the New Synod Hall.
Regarding the General Congregations,
Father Lombardi noted the Cardinals themselves will establish the
timetable for their meetings and the start date of the Conclave.
The
cardinals will not reside in Santa Marta residence until the eve of the
Conclave.
This in view of organization of accommodation in the residence
which , as envisaged by the constitution "Roman Pontifical eligendo",
is allocated by drawing lots.