Pope Benedict XVI brought to an end the long goodbye
As
the bells of Rome continued to peal in salute to the 264th Successor of
St Peter and the sun set behind the tiny hill-top town of Castel
Gandolfo, the figure of Benedict XVI slipped behind the curtains of the
central balcony of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo. It was his
last public appearance as Pope. The crowds below continued to cheer as
further north, in St Peter’s Square, thousands more huddled around the
giant screens, many shaking their heads, with tears in their eyes."Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives", read his last tweet, sent moments before he lifted off from the Vatican heliport for the Papal Summer Residence, high in the Vatican Gardens. Vatican officials and lay staff from his chauffeur, to the squadron of gardeners struggling to contain their emotion as they bid him farewell.
Below is a translation of the Holy Father’s farewell words at Castel Gandolfo:
"Thank you, thank you from my heart. I am happy to be here with you,
surrounded by the beauty of Creation and your friendship that does me so
much good, thank you for your friendship, for caring. You know
that today is different from others… as of eight pm I will no longer be
the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. I will simply be a pilgrim
who is beginning the last part of his pilgrimage on earth.
But with my heart, my love, my prayer, with all my inner strength, I will work for the common good and the good of the Church and all humanity. And I feel greatly supported by your affection. Let us move forward together with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world. I will now impart upon you all my Apostolic Blessing. Thank you and good night. Thank you all!"
But with my heart, my love, my prayer, with all my inner strength, I will work for the common good and the good of the Church and all humanity. And I feel greatly supported by your affection. Let us move forward together with the Lord for the good of the Church and the world. I will now impart upon you all my Apostolic Blessing. Thank you and good night. Thank you all!"
