KING JESUS IS COMING FOR US ANY TIME NOW. THE RAPTURE. BE PREPARED TO GO.
TODAY I WAS LISTENING TO A SHOW.AND A PHONE CALLER PHONED IN AND SAID.I FORGET WHAT TOWN THIS WAS.BUT THE PERSON ON THE PHONE SAID.HER TAYLOR TOLD HER THAT HE WAS MAKING CLOTHES FOR THE NEXT POPE.AND THEIR ARE 3 POSSSIBLE CONTENDERS.HE TOLD HER THE 3 POSSIBLE POPES ARE FROM EUROPE.HE NEVER GAVE HER NAMES.BUT THIS BY THE BIBLE IS RIGHT ON.AS THE NEXT POPE MUST BE FROM ROME AND I BELIEVE A MUSLIM SYMPOTHIZER.SINCE BEHEADING WILL BE COMMON AT THE VATICAN IN THE FUTURE.AND SCOLA IS A SYMPOTHIZER.AND BERTONE IS EUROPEAN-BOTH FROM ITALY.AND THE 3RD EUROPEAN,WHO KNOWS.BUT MY 2 I PREDICTED TO BE THE NEXT POPE HERE ARE EUROPEAN AND ONE FOR SURE IS A ISLAM SYMPOTHISER.SO I KNOW MY HUNCH ABOUT THE NEXT POPE IS RIGHT ON BY THE BIBLE AND BY THIS TAYLOR THAT SAYS THE 3 MAIN CONTENDERS ARE EUROPEANS.WE WILL SEE IN A WEEK OR SO.
Conclaves are among the world's most secretive elections, with no declared candidates, no open campaigning and electors who often do not know more than a few dozen men in the room. Electors are sworn to secrecy about the actual voting itself.George said cardinals consulted other electors before the conclave to learn more about possible choices, asking "what do you know about this candidate?" or "what kind of person is he?"O'Malley, at his first conclave and already being mentioned in Italian media as a potential candidate, said he had been "using the Internet a lot" to read up on other cardinals.Conclaves traditionally begin 15 days after the seat of St. Peter, as the papal office is called, becomes vacant. But that includes time for mourning and funeral ceremonies for a dead pope, so Benedict issued a decree allowing an earlier start.From Monday, the cardinals will discuss how long they want to hold general congregations before going into the conclave; its name comes from the Latin term "cum clave" - with a key - to show they are locked away until a pope is chosen.Cardinals over 80 cannot join them in the voting, but they are allowed to attend the general congregations and discuss the challenges to the Church with the electors.
Nothing is set yet, but the Vatican seems to be aiming for an election by mid-March so the new pope can be installed in office before Palm Sunday on March 24 and lead Holy Week services culminating in Easter the following Sunday.
HELICOPTER INTO HISTORY
The cardinals will not see a top secret report prepared for Pope Benedict on mismanagement and infighting in the Curia, the Church's bureaucracy. But its three cardinal authors will be in the general congregations to advise electors on its findings."Since we don't really know what's in the report, I think we'll depend on the cardinals in the congregations to share with us what they think will be valuable for us to know to make the right decision for the future," O'Malley said.In an emotional farewell to cardinals on Thursday morning in the Vatican's frescoed Sala Clementina, Benedict appeared to send a strong message to the cardinals and the faithful to unite behind his successor, whoever he turns out to be.The appeal was significant because for the first time in history, there will be a reigning pope in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace and his retired predecessor living in a small monastery in the Vatican Gardens not far away.Benedict left the Vatican by helicopter for the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo south of Rome to be far from the conclave and not influence it. He will move into the monastery when refurbishing is finished in about two months.(Editing by Alastair Macdonald)
THE OFFICIAL POPE 16TH LAST DAY HAPPENINGS.
LAST DAY HAPPENINGS AT THE VATICAN-POPES LIFE BEFORE RETIREMENT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ixAZy6bl0&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ&index=2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_pIgRQxis8&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cZnCG762Z4&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgqVGMESO-U&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqjt5ZMRjgc&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0JXW1VhhOw&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7rjK28Jahs&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTe5o7Sbd2Q&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urwguqXDkFY&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quFmpOFVTBI&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10ZT1cib5ZE&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypmjyk28bKI&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGITO7327ZA&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
An historic day in pictures
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The Pope's final words to the crowds gathered in front of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo:
20:02 Sede Vacante period officially begins
20:01 Gates to Castel Gandolfo shut
19.56 The gates to Castel Gandolfo will be drawn shut in a few minutes
18:23 John Kerry sends America’s wishes to Benedict XVI
“President Obama and I would like to extend out best wishes to Benedict XVI and thank him for his leadership and everything he has done. Today is a very special moment because after 600 years the Pope has left the Vatican and flown to Castel Gandolfo.” This was the message sent by John Kerry who is in Rome visiting Italian prime minister Mario Monti.
17.41 Benedict XVI sends out his final blessing
I am no longer Pope, I am just a pilgrim, but I still wish to do my bit for the good of the Church. Let us move forth alongside the Lord for the good of the Church and of the world. Thank you and goodnight.
17.38 Pope grreets and gives thanks to the crowd for the last time, from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo
17:35 Piazza della Libertà , the square in front of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo is packed with faithful who have gathered to greet the Pope, minutes after his arrival from Rome. Church bells ring across Castel Gandolfo.
17:23 The Pope has landed in Castel Gandolfo
Benedict XVI has arrived in Castel Gandolfo. The helicopter which Benedict XVI boarded landed at the heliport in the town of Colli Albani, justa short distance from the papal Palace where the outgoing Pope will be staying for the next two months.
17:07 The toll of St. Peter's bells can be heard as the Pope leaves the Holy See by helicopter
Pope Benedict XVI has left the Vatican. The helicopter that is taking him to Castel Gandolfo took off just before 17:05. At the heliport, Benedict XVI said his goodbyes to Dean Angelo Sodano and Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo. The Pope waved a final goodbye to those who greeted him from a distance. He will be landing in Castel Gandolfo in a few minutes. The Pope is travelling in an Italian Airforce helicopter. He is accompanied by his personal secretary, Mgr. Georg Gaenswein and Mgr. Leonardo Sapienza. The Vatican Television Centre is broadcasting the Pope's arrival live.
17:05 The Pope's message on Twitter: "Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives."
17:00 The Pope leaves the Courtyard of San Damaso
16.56 Benedict XVI bids farewell to Vallini and Comastri
As he left the papal apartment, just before leaving the Vatican for Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XVI was greeted by the Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Agostino Vallini and the Vicar Genearl for the Vatican City, Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
16:40 The Pope is about to leave the Apostolic Palace
San Damaso Courtyard inside the Apostolic Palace is packed with cardinals, bishops, priests, nuns and all the Vatican’s staff. The Swiss Guard is about to perform the ceremonial honour guard. The blue car that will take Benedict XVI to the Vatican heliport, five minutes away from the Apostolic Palace, in on standby. The Pope will leave the Apostolic Palace at 16:55 as scheduled, after bidding Tarcisio Bertone and the rest of the Curia his final farewell. At the heliport he will be greeted by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano. The helicopter will depart at 17:00 and will reach Castel Gandolfo an hour later. There, he will be met by the President of the Vatican Governorate, Giuseppe Bertello, the Secretary of the Governatorate of Vatican City State, Giuseppe Sciacca, the Bishop of the Italian town of Albano Semeraro, the General Director of the Pontifical Villas, Saverio Petrillo and the mayor and parish priest of Castel Gandolfo.
14:05 Benedict XVI is due to arrive in Castel Gandolfo at 17:30 (CET). It is still not known exactly how many cardinals will be present at the Conclave, especially as some are ill.
13.50 Benedict will send his last tweet at 17:00 (CET). During the sede vacante period, Benedict XVI’s Twitter account will be frozen until a successor is chosen.
13:49 CTV and Telepace will give live coverage of the Pope’s departure
When Benedict XVI’s papacy comes to a formal end this evening at 20:00 (CET), “the gates to Castel Gandolfo will be drawn shut” and in the Vatican “the papal apartment and the lift that leads directly to the apartment will be sealed off, that is all as far as I know,” the director of the Vatican Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi said during this morning’s press conference. He also said the closing of the gates at Castel Gandolfo will be broadcast live by CTV.
Media statistics
There are 3641 journalists accredited by the Holy See Press Office, representing 968 newspapers of 61 nations, in 24 different languages. 336 journalists – 156 photographers – 2470 television networks – 231 radio stations and 115 websites. Fr. Lombardi has confirmed a visit to the Sistine Chapel before the Conclave, the news about the general congregations which will be held in the New Synod Hall and the Mass pro eligendo.
Two million pilgrims from all across the world walked past the Shroud at the 2010 Ostension in Turin Cathedral. Forty years after the first televised Ostension of the Shroud on 23 November 1973 in the Hall of the Swiss in the Royal Palace of Turin. On that occasion, the Shroud was displayed vertically and not horizontally as is customary. On 1 March, Italian state television RAI will be broadcasting images of the Shroud which will be shown on television channels worldwide.The Ostension will take place the day before Easter, echoing the meaning attributed to the Shroud by Benedict XVI during his visit to Turin on 2 May 2010, when he defined it as “the Icon of Holy Saturday”. This year’s televised Ostension of the Shroud is part of a series of initiatives to mark Benedict XVI’s Year of Faith.
TODAY I WAS LISTENING TO A SHOW.AND A PHONE CALLER PHONED IN AND SAID.I FORGET WHAT TOWN THIS WAS.BUT THE PERSON ON THE PHONE SAID.HER TAYLOR TOLD HER THAT HE WAS MAKING CLOTHES FOR THE NEXT POPE.AND THEIR ARE 3 POSSSIBLE CONTENDERS.HE TOLD HER THE 3 POSSIBLE POPES ARE FROM EUROPE.HE NEVER GAVE HER NAMES.BUT THIS BY THE BIBLE IS RIGHT ON.AS THE NEXT POPE MUST BE FROM ROME AND I BELIEVE A MUSLIM SYMPOTHIZER.SINCE BEHEADING WILL BE COMMON AT THE VATICAN IN THE FUTURE.AND SCOLA IS A SYMPOTHIZER.AND BERTONE IS EUROPEAN-BOTH FROM ITALY.AND THE 3RD EUROPEAN,WHO KNOWS.BUT MY 2 I PREDICTED TO BE THE NEXT POPE HERE ARE EUROPEAN AND ONE FOR SURE IS A ISLAM SYMPOTHISER.SO I KNOW MY HUNCH ABOUT THE NEXT POPE IS RIGHT ON BY THE BIBLE AND BY THIS TAYLOR THAT SAYS THE 3 MAIN CONTENDERS ARE EUROPEANS.WE WILL SEE IN A WEEK OR SO.
Pope's first hours as retiree: Prayer, TV, books
– 1 hr 2 mins ago MAR 1,13
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican says Benedict XVI has spent his first few hours as a retiree praying, watching TV and taking walks.The Vatican on Friday released details of Benedict's life inside
Castel Gandolfo, the vacation retreat where at 8 p.m. Thursday he became
the first pope in 600 years to retire.
Benedict's secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein,
reported to the Vatican that after Benedict said his final public
farewell, he ate dinner, took his typical constitutional walk in the
palace and watched TV news of his last day as pope. Gaenswein reported
he slept well, celebrated Mass as usual and had breakfast, according to
the Vatican spokesman.Gaenswein reported Benedict was relaxed — as evidenced by the fact that he had in recent days resumed playing piano. With no pope, Catholic Church leaderless for now
By | Associated Press – 1 hr 45 mins ago MAR 1,13
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Catholic Church awoke Friday with no leader following the resignation of Benedict XVI, who pledged obedience to his successor and described himself as "simply a pilgrim" starting the final journey of his life.Now
begins a period known as the "sede vacante" or "vacant see" — the
transition between the end of one papacy and the start of
another.During this limited time, several key players take charge of
running the Holy See, guiding the College of Cardinals in their deliberations and organizing the conclave of cardinals whose votes elect Benedict's successor.With the 8 p.m. Thursday end of Benedict's papacy, every department head in the Vatican
lost his job — except for those whose offices are considered crucial
for the smooth running of the transition period.On Monday, the cardinals
begin meetings to set the conclave date and discuss problems facing the
Catholic church.Here are the top figures who will run the church in the coming days:
___
THE CAMERLENGO: Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
The camerlengo, or chamberlain, takes over the day-to-day running the Holy See as soon as the papacy ends. He places the seal on the pope's study and bedroom and takes possession of the Apostolic Palace, "safeguarding and administering the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See" until a new pope is elected. On Thursday night, Bertone sealed the papal apartment, which will not be reopened until a new pope is elected.Benedict in 2007 gave the camerlengo job to Bertone, 78, a natural choice given that Bertone is currently the Vatican No. 2 as secretary of state and runs the Vatican bureaucracy anyway. A priest of the Salesian order, Bertone was trained as a canon lawyer and taught in various Roman universities for several years before coming to work for the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the Vatican's doctrine office in 1995.As secretary of state, Bertone has had Benedict's unwavering trust, but his legacy has been mixed. He had no diplomatic training coming into the Holy See's most important diplomatic and administrative post, and critics blame the gaffes of Benedict's papacy and current state of the Vatican's dysfunction on Bertone's managerial shortcomings. The 2012 leaks of papal documents appeared aimed at undermining his authority further, by exposing the power struggles and turf battles that festered under his watch. In his last speech as pope, however, Benedict singled Bertone out for thanks.
___
THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS: Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
The dean is the senior member of the College of Cardinals, the so-called "princes" of the church whose main task is to elect a pope. In one of his first official acts as dean, Sodano on Friday officially summoned cardinals to Rome to participate in the pre-conclave meetings, a formality given that most were already here. The first starts Monday at 9:30 a.m.The dean oversees these meetings, at which the problems of the church are discussed, and has duties inside the conclave itself, including asking the newly elected pontiff if he accepts the job. But Sodano is 85 and cannot vote, so some of those duties shift to the sub-dean.Burly and sociable, the Italian Sodano was Pope John Paul II's longtime secretary of state. As dean, he spoke on behalf of all the cardinals in giving a final farewell to Benedict on Thursday, thanking him for his "selfless service."
Still, Sodano and Benedict were known to have clashed when Benedict was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, particularly over the scandal-plagued Legion of Christ religious order. Sodano was a chief backer and protector of the Legion's late founder, the Rev. Marcial Maciel, even though the Vatican had known for years of solid allegations that he was sexually molesting his seminarians. Within Benedict's first year in office, Maciel was sentenced by the Vatican to a lifetime of penance and prayers for his crimes. That same year Benedict named Bertone to replace the retiring Sodano as secretary of state.
___
THE MASTER OF LITURGICAL CEREMONIES: Monsignor Guido Marini.
The master of liturgical ceremonies runs the religious side of the conclave and the installation Mass for the new pope, all of them carefully choreographed rituals. He is by the side of the dean when the newly elected pope is asked if he accepts the election. And as the main witness and notary, he draws up the formal document certifying that the new pope's name and that he has accepted the job.Benedict appointed Marini to the job in 2007, replacing Monsignor Piero Marini who for two decades was Pope John Paul II's right-hand man for all things liturgical. The shift was intentional. Under Guido Marini, papal Masses became far more reverent, with more Latin, Gregorian chants and the use of heavy silk-brocaded vestments of the pre-Vatican II church.In changes introduced just before he resigned, Benedict made clear he wanted this more traditional vision of his papacy carried forward for the installation of a new pope. He called for the rites of installation to be separate from the liturgy itself and for the cardinals to make a public pledge of obedience to the new pope during the Mass. Previously, their pledge of obedience was done in private in the Sistine Chapel immediately after the election.In keeping with Benedict's classical musical tastes, the new rites also allow for more flexibility in musical choices rather than the modern selections previously in favor. The aim, Marini recently told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, was to make "the most of the rich musical repertoire of church history."
___
THE PROTO-DEACON: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.
The proto-deacon's main task is to announce to the world that a pope has been elected. He shouts "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a pope!") from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square after the white smoke has snaked up from the Sistine Chapel chimney. He then introduces the new pope — in Latin — along with the name the pope has chosen.The French-born Tauran is a veteran Vatican diplomat who served in the Dominican Republic and Lebanon. He currently heads the Vatican's office for interreligious dialogue — in other words the Vatican's primary point man for Catholic-Muslim relations. Benedict appointed him proto-deacon in 2011.___Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield.
___
THE CAMERLENGO: Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.
The camerlengo, or chamberlain, takes over the day-to-day running the Holy See as soon as the papacy ends. He places the seal on the pope's study and bedroom and takes possession of the Apostolic Palace, "safeguarding and administering the goods and temporal rights of the Holy See" until a new pope is elected. On Thursday night, Bertone sealed the papal apartment, which will not be reopened until a new pope is elected.Benedict in 2007 gave the camerlengo job to Bertone, 78, a natural choice given that Bertone is currently the Vatican No. 2 as secretary of state and runs the Vatican bureaucracy anyway. A priest of the Salesian order, Bertone was trained as a canon lawyer and taught in various Roman universities for several years before coming to work for the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the Vatican's doctrine office in 1995.As secretary of state, Bertone has had Benedict's unwavering trust, but his legacy has been mixed. He had no diplomatic training coming into the Holy See's most important diplomatic and administrative post, and critics blame the gaffes of Benedict's papacy and current state of the Vatican's dysfunction on Bertone's managerial shortcomings. The 2012 leaks of papal documents appeared aimed at undermining his authority further, by exposing the power struggles and turf battles that festered under his watch. In his last speech as pope, however, Benedict singled Bertone out for thanks.
___
THE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF CARDINALS: Cardinal Angelo Sodano.
The dean is the senior member of the College of Cardinals, the so-called "princes" of the church whose main task is to elect a pope. In one of his first official acts as dean, Sodano on Friday officially summoned cardinals to Rome to participate in the pre-conclave meetings, a formality given that most were already here. The first starts Monday at 9:30 a.m.The dean oversees these meetings, at which the problems of the church are discussed, and has duties inside the conclave itself, including asking the newly elected pontiff if he accepts the job. But Sodano is 85 and cannot vote, so some of those duties shift to the sub-dean.Burly and sociable, the Italian Sodano was Pope John Paul II's longtime secretary of state. As dean, he spoke on behalf of all the cardinals in giving a final farewell to Benedict on Thursday, thanking him for his "selfless service."
Still, Sodano and Benedict were known to have clashed when Benedict was Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, particularly over the scandal-plagued Legion of Christ religious order. Sodano was a chief backer and protector of the Legion's late founder, the Rev. Marcial Maciel, even though the Vatican had known for years of solid allegations that he was sexually molesting his seminarians. Within Benedict's first year in office, Maciel was sentenced by the Vatican to a lifetime of penance and prayers for his crimes. That same year Benedict named Bertone to replace the retiring Sodano as secretary of state.
___
THE MASTER OF LITURGICAL CEREMONIES: Monsignor Guido Marini.
The master of liturgical ceremonies runs the religious side of the conclave and the installation Mass for the new pope, all of them carefully choreographed rituals. He is by the side of the dean when the newly elected pope is asked if he accepts the election. And as the main witness and notary, he draws up the formal document certifying that the new pope's name and that he has accepted the job.Benedict appointed Marini to the job in 2007, replacing Monsignor Piero Marini who for two decades was Pope John Paul II's right-hand man for all things liturgical. The shift was intentional. Under Guido Marini, papal Masses became far more reverent, with more Latin, Gregorian chants and the use of heavy silk-brocaded vestments of the pre-Vatican II church.In changes introduced just before he resigned, Benedict made clear he wanted this more traditional vision of his papacy carried forward for the installation of a new pope. He called for the rites of installation to be separate from the liturgy itself and for the cardinals to make a public pledge of obedience to the new pope during the Mass. Previously, their pledge of obedience was done in private in the Sistine Chapel immediately after the election.In keeping with Benedict's classical musical tastes, the new rites also allow for more flexibility in musical choices rather than the modern selections previously in favor. The aim, Marini recently told the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, was to make "the most of the rich musical repertoire of church history."
___
THE PROTO-DEACON: Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.
The proto-deacon's main task is to announce to the world that a pope has been elected. He shouts "Habemus Papam!" ("We have a pope!") from the balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square after the white smoke has snaked up from the Sistine Chapel chimney. He then introduces the new pope — in Latin — along with the name the pope has chosen.The French-born Tauran is a veteran Vatican diplomat who served in the Dominican Republic and Lebanon. He currently heads the Vatican's office for interreligious dialogue — in other words the Vatican's primary point man for Catholic-Muslim relations. Benedict appointed him proto-deacon in 2011.___Follow Nicole Winfield at www.twitter.com/nwinfield.
Vatican summons cardinals for conclave
ROME -- The Vatican is moving quickly to start the process of selecting the next pope, announcing Friday that the official invitation had gone out to the 115 eligible cardinals who will take part in selecting the next pope.The Vatican said that "congregations" leading up to the actual conclave will start Monday.The short announcement from the Vatican press office Friday said that cardinals would join the congregations as they arrived in Rome and that once the full contingent of cardinals arrived they would decide together on the start date for the conclave.Benedict XVI, now known as pontiff emeritus, sent shockwaves around the world when he announced Feb. 11 he would resign, effective Thursday at 8 p.m. local time. Friday will be his first full day in his new temporary home in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, where he will live for several months until a new residence being prepared for him is ready inside the Vatican.This process to select the next pope is already in stark contrast to previous modern conclaves, when a specific date for the start of conclave was announced, usually within about 15 days of the death of the pope. This one is different because Benedict XVI resigned, meaning work on the conclave could start behind the scenes while Benedict was still pontiff. In fact, in his final days Benedict changed the rules to allow the conclave to start sooner than it would otherwise.Thursday evening at a press conference, Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, a past president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and an elector in the 2005 conclave that picked Benedict, said the cardinals will spend the days before the conclave in "smaller, more intimate conversations."According to Catholic News Service, these private talks are "where the cardinals ask each other about specific cardinals they know or want to know more about. He said they ask questions like, 'What do you know about this candidate? And could you tell me how he would react to this? And what sort of person is he, what's his personality?'"Once the conclave starts it will also be the first conclave in 719 years to take place with the previous pope still alive, when Celestine V, who, like Benedict, resigned voluntarily, witnessed the installation of Boniface VII in 1294.Gregory XII was the last pope to resign, when he was forced to abdicate in 1415. But he died before the election of his successor Martin V.Cardinals begin long process of picking new pope
VATICAN CITY |
(Reuters) - With Pope Benedict
XVI now officially in retirement, Catholic cardinals from around the
world begin on Friday the complex, cryptic and uncertain process of
picking the next leader of the world's largest church.Some details are still unclear,
owing to Benedict's break with the tradition that papacies end with a
pope's death, so these "princes of the Church" will first hold an
informal session before traditional rounds of talks begin on Monday.No
front-runner stands out among the 115 cardinal electors - those aged
under 80 - due to enter the Sistine Chapel for the conclave that picks
the new pope, so discreetly sizing up potential candidates will be high
on the cardinals' agenda.They will
also use the general congregations, the closed-door consultations
preceding a conclave, to discuss future challenges such as better
Vatican management, the need for improved communication and the
continuing sexual abuse crisis.Benedict
ended his difficult eight-year reign on Thursday pledging unconditional
obedience to whoever succeeds him to lead the world's 1.2 billion
Catholics at one of the most problematic periods in the Church's
2,000-year history."The discussion
we have in the congregations will be most important for the
intellectual preparation" for choosing a pope, said Boston's Cardinal
Sean O'Malley, adding the electors were already preparing spiritually
for the vote by intense prayer."I
would imagine each of us has some kind of list of primary candidates,
and others secondary," said Cardinal Francis George of Chicago at a
media briefing with O'Malley and another American cardinal, Daniel
DiNardo of Galveston-Houston.MOST SECRETIVE ELECTIONConclaves are among the world's most secretive elections, with no declared candidates, no open campaigning and electors who often do not know more than a few dozen men in the room. Electors are sworn to secrecy about the actual voting itself.George said cardinals consulted other electors before the conclave to learn more about possible choices, asking "what do you know about this candidate?" or "what kind of person is he?"O'Malley, at his first conclave and already being mentioned in Italian media as a potential candidate, said he had been "using the Internet a lot" to read up on other cardinals.Conclaves traditionally begin 15 days after the seat of St. Peter, as the papal office is called, becomes vacant. But that includes time for mourning and funeral ceremonies for a dead pope, so Benedict issued a decree allowing an earlier start.From Monday, the cardinals will discuss how long they want to hold general congregations before going into the conclave; its name comes from the Latin term "cum clave" - with a key - to show they are locked away until a pope is chosen.Cardinals over 80 cannot join them in the voting, but they are allowed to attend the general congregations and discuss the challenges to the Church with the electors.
Nothing is set yet, but the Vatican seems to be aiming for an election by mid-March so the new pope can be installed in office before Palm Sunday on March 24 and lead Holy Week services culminating in Easter the following Sunday.
HELICOPTER INTO HISTORY
The cardinals will not see a top secret report prepared for Pope Benedict on mismanagement and infighting in the Curia, the Church's bureaucracy. But its three cardinal authors will be in the general congregations to advise electors on its findings."Since we don't really know what's in the report, I think we'll depend on the cardinals in the congregations to share with us what they think will be valuable for us to know to make the right decision for the future," O'Malley said.In an emotional farewell to cardinals on Thursday morning in the Vatican's frescoed Sala Clementina, Benedict appeared to send a strong message to the cardinals and the faithful to unite behind his successor, whoever he turns out to be.The appeal was significant because for the first time in history, there will be a reigning pope in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace and his retired predecessor living in a small monastery in the Vatican Gardens not far away.Benedict left the Vatican by helicopter for the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo south of Rome to be far from the conclave and not influence it. He will move into the monastery when refurbishing is finished in about two months.(Editing by Alastair Macdonald)
THE OFFICIAL POPE 16TH LAST DAY HAPPENINGS.
LAST DAY HAPPENINGS AT THE VATICAN-POPES LIFE BEFORE RETIREMENT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55ixAZy6bl0&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ&index=2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_pIgRQxis8&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cZnCG762Z4&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgqVGMESO-U&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqjt5ZMRjgc&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0JXW1VhhOw&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7rjK28Jahs&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTe5o7Sbd2Q&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urwguqXDkFY&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quFmpOFVTBI&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10ZT1cib5ZE&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypmjyk28bKI&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGITO7327ZA&list=UUxshhzR907v2w6DjICyAgLQ
02/28/2013 VATICAN INSIDER
Benedict XVI’s last day as Pope
Ratzinger's farewell
28 February 2013: Minute by minute coverage of Benedict XVI's historic last day
vatican insider staff Rome Live broadcast: Vatican Television and Vatican Radio coverage of Benedict XVI's last day as PopeAn historic day in pictures
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The Pope's final words to the crowds gathered in front of the Apostolic Palace 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 warms me,
you know that today is different from others, as of eight pm I will no
longer be the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Roman Church. I am a pilgrim
who is begining the last part of his pilgrimage on earth. But with all
my interior strength, with all my heart, with all my love I will work
for the good of the Church and all humanity." (Vatican Radio)
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20:02 Sede Vacante period officially begins
20:01 Gates to Castel Gandolfo shut
19.56 The gates to Castel Gandolfo will be drawn shut in a few minutes
18:23 John Kerry sends America’s wishes to Benedict XVI
“President Obama and I would like to extend out best wishes to Benedict XVI and thank him for his leadership and everything he has done. Today is a very special moment because after 600 years the Pope has left the Vatican and flown to Castel Gandolfo.” This was the message sent by John Kerry who is in Rome visiting Italian prime minister Mario Monti.
17.41 Benedict XVI sends out his final blessing
I am no longer Pope, I am just a pilgrim, but I still wish to do my bit for the good of the Church. Let us move forth alongside the Lord for the good of the Church and of the world. Thank you and goodnight.
17.38 Pope grreets and gives thanks to the crowd for the last time, from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo
17:35 Piazza della Libertà , the square in front of the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo is packed with faithful who have gathered to greet the Pope, minutes after his arrival from Rome. Church bells ring across Castel Gandolfo.
17:23 The Pope has landed in Castel Gandolfo
Benedict XVI has arrived in Castel Gandolfo. The helicopter which Benedict XVI boarded landed at the heliport in the town of Colli Albani, justa short distance from the papal Palace where the outgoing Pope will be staying for the next two months.
17:07 The toll of St. Peter's bells can be heard as the Pope leaves the Holy See by helicopter
Pope Benedict XVI has left the Vatican. The helicopter that is taking him to Castel Gandolfo took off just before 17:05. At the heliport, Benedict XVI said his goodbyes to Dean Angelo Sodano and Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo. The Pope waved a final goodbye to those who greeted him from a distance. He will be landing in Castel Gandolfo in a few minutes. The Pope is travelling in an Italian Airforce helicopter. He is accompanied by his personal secretary, Mgr. Georg Gaenswein and Mgr. Leonardo Sapienza. The Vatican Television Centre is broadcasting the Pope's arrival live.
17:05 The Pope's message on Twitter: "Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives."
17:00 The Pope leaves the Courtyard of San Damaso
16.56 Benedict XVI bids farewell to Vallini and Comastri
As he left the papal apartment, just before leaving the Vatican for Castel Gandolfo, Benedict XVI was greeted by the Vicar of Rome, Cardinal Agostino Vallini and the Vicar Genearl for the Vatican City, Cardinal Angelo Comastri.
16:40 The Pope is about to leave the Apostolic Palace
San Damaso Courtyard inside the Apostolic Palace is packed with cardinals, bishops, priests, nuns and all the Vatican’s staff. The Swiss Guard is about to perform the ceremonial honour guard. The blue car that will take Benedict XVI to the Vatican heliport, five minutes away from the Apostolic Palace, in on standby. The Pope will leave the Apostolic Palace at 16:55 as scheduled, after bidding Tarcisio Bertone and the rest of the Curia his final farewell. At the heliport he will be greeted by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Angelo Sodano. The helicopter will depart at 17:00 and will reach Castel Gandolfo an hour later. There, he will be met by the President of the Vatican Governorate, Giuseppe Bertello, the Secretary of the Governatorate of Vatican City State, Giuseppe Sciacca, the Bishop of the Italian town of Albano Semeraro, the General Director of the Pontifical Villas, Saverio Petrillo and the mayor and parish priest of Castel Gandolfo.
14:05 Benedict XVI is due to arrive in Castel Gandolfo at 17:30 (CET). It is still not known exactly how many cardinals will be present at the Conclave, especially as some are ill.
13.50 Benedict will send his last tweet at 17:00 (CET). During the sede vacante period, Benedict XVI’s Twitter account will be frozen until a successor is chosen.
13:49 CTV and Telepace will give live coverage of the Pope’s departure
When Benedict XVI’s papacy comes to a formal end this evening at 20:00 (CET), “the gates to Castel Gandolfo will be drawn shut” and in the Vatican “the papal apartment and the lift that leads directly to the apartment will be sealed off, that is all as far as I know,” the director of the Vatican Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi said during this morning’s press conference. He also said the closing of the gates at Castel Gandolfo will be broadcast live by CTV.
Media statistics
There are 3641 journalists accredited by the Holy See Press Office, representing 968 newspapers of 61 nations, in 24 different languages. 336 journalists – 156 photographers – 2470 television networks – 231 radio stations and 115 websites. Fr. Lombardi has confirmed a visit to the Sistine Chapel before the Conclave, the news about the general congregations which will be held in the New Synod Hall and the Mass pro eligendo.
02/28/2013 VATICAN INSIDER
Benedict XVI: “The Church is not an institution devised and built at table, but a living reality”
Cardinals listen carefully to Benedict XVI's words
Pope Benedict XVI’s farewell speech to the College of Cardinals. Emotions ran high as the Pope embraced and greeted the 144 cardinals present in the Clementine Hall
Alessandro Speciale vatican city Benedict XVI was greeted by a long applause from the College of Cardinals when he arrived in the Clementine Hall this morning, just a few minutes late. Benedict XVI attended what is likely to be his last event as Pope: a farewell audience with the “Princes of the Church”. The cardinals will shortly be called to elect his successor, to whom Ratzinger pledges “obedience” as of today.Today’s ceremony was a simple one and was introduced by the Dean of the Sacred College, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who expressed the cardinals’ gratitude once again for the eight-year journey they accompanied him on. It is not known exactly how many cardinals were present but definitely more than there were at Benedict XVI’s last General Audience in St. Peter’s Square yesterday.Ratzinger made a last-minute appeal to cardinals to ensure unity in the Church. He asked them to remain united so that the College that will elect his successor resembles “an orchestra, where diversity, an expression of the universal Church, always contributes to a superior harmony of concord.”To add force to his call for unity, the Pope quoted one of his favourite theologians, Romano Guardini: "The Church is not an institution devised and built at table, but a living reality. She lives along the course of time by transforming Herself, like any living being, yet Her nature remains the same. At Her heart is Christ. "Benedict XVI promised to pray for the Conclave over the next few days, adding: “among you, among the College of Cardinals, there is also the future Pope, to whom, here to today, I already promise my unconditional reverence and obedience.”Just before this, the Pope refererd back to some points he made during yesterday’s General Audience in St. Peter’s Square – a meeting which proved the fact that the Church is “a living body, animated by the Holy Spirit, and truly lives by the power of God.”“Your closeness, your advice, have been a great help to me in my ministry – Benedict XVI said -. In these 8 years we have experienced in faith beautiful moments of radiant light in the Churches’ journey along with times when clouds have darkened the sky.At the end of the Pope’s speech, cardinals filed past him to kiss the papal ring and extend their brieg greetings. They were followed by non-cardinal heads of the Vatican dicasteries such as the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and other Curia monsignors. After this, the Pope turned and took the first steps towards the new life he will be leading away from the world spotlight.
02/27/2013 VATICAN INSIDER
Benedict XVI's parting gift: First ostension of Holy Shroud since 1975 to take place this March
Benedict XVI venerates the Holy Shroud on his visit to Turin in 2010
This coming 30 March the Holy Shroud will be broadcast live on television for the first time since 1973
vatican insider staff Rome At 11 am on Friday 1 March the Archbishop of Turin, Mgr. Cesare Nosiglia, who is Pontifical Custodian of the Shroud, will give a presentation of the televised Ostension of the Shroud on 30 March, the day before Easter. Nosiglia’s presentation will be given at the Metropolitan Seminary of Turin (on Via XX Settembre, 83), Italy.Two million pilgrims from all across the world walked past the Shroud at the 2010 Ostension in Turin Cathedral. Forty years after the first televised Ostension of the Shroud on 23 November 1973 in the Hall of the Swiss in the Royal Palace of Turin. On that occasion, the Shroud was displayed vertically and not horizontally as is customary. On 1 March, Italian state television RAI will be broadcasting images of the Shroud which will be shown on television channels worldwide.The Ostension will take place the day before Easter, echoing the meaning attributed to the Shroud by Benedict XVI during his visit to Turin on 2 May 2010, when he defined it as “the Icon of Holy Saturday”. This year’s televised Ostension of the Shroud is part of a series of initiatives to mark Benedict XVI’s Year of Faith.
