Benedict XVI left the Vatican

The Pope Benedict XVI, who renounced the throne, left the Vatican in a white helicopter. According to RIA Novosti, he flew from the Vatican at 17:07 local time (20:07 in Moscow). The pontiff headed for the summer papal residence in the city of Castel-Gandolfo near Rome. There he intends to spend the next two months.

Hundreds of believers came to say goodbye to the dad. They greeted his exit from the Apostolic Palace with applause.

Before leaving the Vatican, Benedict XVI wrote his last in the status of the pope a message on Twitter: "Thank you for your love and support. And let you always have grace from the fact that Christ is in your life."

Upon arrival in Castel-Gangdolfo, Benedict XVI from the balcony of the palace for the last time turned to believers as a dad. "I am happy to be among you. Since tonight, I am just a pilgrim, who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth," he said. Thousands of people came to a meeting with a pontiff.

At 20:00 Thursday, local time (23:00 in Moscow) in the Vatican announced the vacant throne mode. Cardinal-Camerleno Tarchizio Burtone, who is managing the Vatican’s affairs before the election of a new pope, in the presence of other cardinals, annulled the lead press and a fisherman's ring belonging to Benedict XVI to prevent the falsification of documents before the election of a new pontiff.

The planned renunciation of 85-year-old Benedict XVI announced on February 11 at the Cardinal Consistory. He explained his decision by deterioration in health. The pontiff said that he did not have enough strength to manage the church due to advanced age. Last year, Benedict XVI began to use a cane; In addition, he had problems reading texts.

On February 24, Benedict XVI from the window of his office in the Apostolic Palace last time made the traditional Sunday sermon before the prayer "The Angel of the Lord." Tens of thousands of people gathered to listen to the pontiff on St. Peter Square. Pilgrims arrived from all over the world. Many of the audience held posters in their hands with words of gratitude to Benedict XVI. The preaching several times was interrupted by applause.

Pontiff said that he was resigned, because God called him to devote himself to prayer. He emphasized that he was leaving the post, but did not leave the church. “I can continue the service of God with the same dedication and love with which I did this before, but more suitable for my age and forces in the way,” said Papa.

On Monday, Benedict XVI issued a special decree that allows the election of a new pontiff previously intended. The Motu Proprio rescript also made a number of procedural changes to the Cardinal Conclave. These amendments were introduced to the Constitution of the Roman Catholic Church, which was approved by the previous pontiff John Paul II in 1996. In particular, the date of the beginning of the conclave was determined in it between the 15th and 20th day from the moment when the papal throne was freed. Thus, the conclave could not begin earlier on March 15. It is not yet reported whether the decision has been made on the new date of the start of the procedure for the election of the new dad.