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| Pope Benedict hints he will retire into seclusion | Pope Benedict hints he will retire into seclusion |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The outgoing head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has hinted he will withdraw into seclusion after stepping down at the end of this month. | The outgoing head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Benedict XVI, has hinted he will withdraw into seclusion after stepping down at the end of this month. |
| "Even if I am withdrawing into prayer, I will always be close to all of you... even if I remain hidden to the world," he told a meeting of Roman priests. | "Even if I am withdrawing into prayer, I will always be close to all of you... even if I remain hidden to the world," he told a meeting of Roman priests. |
| The pontiff, 85, shocked the world's biggest Christian Church on Monday when he announced his resignation. | The pontiff, 85, shocked the world's biggest Christian Church on Monday when he announced his resignation. |
| He cited his advanced age as the reason for resigning. | He cited his advanced age as the reason for resigning. |
| The Pope appears to be planning a complete retreat from the public eye, the BBC's Alan Johnston reports from the Vatican. | The Pope appears to be planning a complete retreat from the public eye, the BBC's Alan Johnston reports from the Vatican. |
| However, he is expected to spend his retirement in a monastery at the Vatican and his relationship with his successor as pope is bound to be an endless source of speculation, our correspondent adds. | However, he is expected to spend his retirement in a monastery at the Vatican and his relationship with his successor as pope is bound to be an endless source of speculation, our correspondent adds. |
| A new pope is expected to be elected by cardinals before Easter, which falls on 31 March this year. | A new pope is expected to be elected by cardinals before Easter, which falls on 31 March this year. |
| 'Certainly a surprise' | 'Certainly a surprise' |
| Pope Benedict made his remarks at the Vatican in what amounted to a farewell address to hundreds of priests who serve in the Diocese of Rome, our correspondent says. | Pope Benedict made his remarks at the Vatican in what amounted to a farewell address to hundreds of priests who serve in the Diocese of Rome, our correspondent says. |
| He appealed to the spirit of the reformist Second Vatican Council of the 1960s. | He appealed to the spirit of the reformist Second Vatican Council of the 1960s. |
| "We must work for the realisation of the real council and for a real renewal of the Church," he said. | "We must work for the realisation of the real council and for a real renewal of the Church," he said. |
| Speaking earlier, some of the unnamed priests gave their reaction to the pontiff's decision to resign. | Speaking earlier, some of the unnamed priests gave their reaction to the pontiff's decision to resign. |
| "People are divided, some say that he was right in doing so, since he did not feel able to continue any longer, others on the contrary feel dejected," said one. | "People are divided, some say that he was right in doing so, since he did not feel able to continue any longer, others on the contrary feel dejected," said one. |
| "As for me, I am grieved and I hope and I pray for Benedict XVI, hoping that the Church again finds strength." | "As for me, I am grieved and I hope and I pray for Benedict XVI, hoping that the Church again finds strength." |
| "It was certainly a surprise for everybody," said another. | "It was certainly a surprise for everybody," said another. |
| "Maybe in this moment we cannot easily understand it since all of us are feeling shocked but it is a sign that our pontiff wanted to act for the good of the Church. | "Maybe in this moment we cannot easily understand it since all of us are feeling shocked but it is a sign that our pontiff wanted to act for the good of the Church. |
| "He steps aside not because he abandons Peter's boat, but because he wants this boat to be led with the help of the Holy Spirit through a person who is strong." | |
| Next week the Pope will carry out no public engagements after which he will hold one more public audience on 27 February, in St Peter's Square. | Next week the Pope will carry out no public engagements after which he will hold one more public audience on 27 February, in St Peter's Square. |
| On 28 February he will fly off to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, where he will stay while Church leaders go through the complicated ritual of choosing a successor. | On 28 February he will fly off to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, where he will stay while Church leaders go through the complicated ritual of choosing a successor. |