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Pope says he will be 'hidden to the world' after resignation Pope says he will be 'hidden to the world' after resignation
(about 2 hours later)
Pope Benedict will see out his life in prayer, "hidden from the world", he said on Thursday, in his first personal comments on his plans since he announced his retirement.Pope Benedict will see out his life in prayer, "hidden from the world", he said on Thursday, in his first personal comments on his plans since he announced his retirement.
His resignation notice on Monday spoke of "a life dedicated to prayer", and the Vatican has said the 85-year-old German will live within its walls. His seclusion may allay concern that the first living former pope in centuries might trouble church unity.His resignation notice on Monday spoke of "a life dedicated to prayer", and the Vatican has said the 85-year-old German will live within its walls. His seclusion may allay concern that the first living former pope in centuries might trouble church unity.
Speaking unscripted to thousands of priests from the diocese of Rome, in what turned out to be a farewell address in his capacity as bishop of the Italian capital, Benedict outlined a cloistered life once he steps down in two weeks' time:Speaking unscripted to thousands of priests from the diocese of Rome, in what turned out to be a farewell address in his capacity as bishop of the Italian capital, Benedict outlined a cloistered life once he steps down in two weeks' time:
"Even if I am withdrawing into prayer, I will always be close to all of you and I am sure that you will be close to me, even if I remain hidden to the world," he said."Even if I am withdrawing into prayer, I will always be close to all of you and I am sure that you will be close to me, even if I remain hidden to the world," he said.
After 28 February, Benedict will first go to the papal summer retreat at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, and then move permanently into the four-storey Mater Ecclesiae convent in the gardens behind St Peter's Basilica. After 28 February Benedict will first go to the papal summer retreat at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, and then move permanently into the four-storey Mater Ecclesiae convent in the gardens behind St Peter's Basilica.
The Vatican has already said he will not influence the election of his successor, which will take place in a secret conclave to start between 15 and 20 March in the Sistine Chapel.The Vatican has already said he will not influence the election of his successor, which will take place in a secret conclave to start between 15 and 20 March in the Sistine Chapel.
But his unprepared comments to his priests at an emotional meeting in the Vatican's modern audience hall was the first time the pope had spoken specifically in public about how he would spend his time after his resignation.But his unprepared comments to his priests at an emotional meeting in the Vatican's modern audience hall was the first time the pope had spoken specifically in public about how he would spend his time after his resignation.
The Vatican said experts had not yet decided what his title would be or whether he would wear the white of a pope, the red of a cardinal or the black of an ordinary priest.The Vatican said experts had not yet decided what his title would be or whether he would wear the white of a pope, the red of a cardinal or the black of an ordinary priest.
"In my opinion, once he resigns he should put aside the white cassock and put on the robes of a cardinal," said Father Thomas Reese, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Centre at Georgetown University and an author of books on the Vatican."In my opinion, once he resigns he should put aside the white cassock and put on the robes of a cardinal," said Father Thomas Reese, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Centre at Georgetown University and an author of books on the Vatican.
"He should no longer be called pope, or Benedict, or your Holiness, but should be referred to as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger," Reese added. "After the new pope is elected, he should attend his installation along with the other retired cardinals and pledge his allegiance to the new pope.""He should no longer be called pope, or Benedict, or your Holiness, but should be referred to as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger," Reese added. "After the new pope is elected, he should attend his installation along with the other retired cardinals and pledge his allegiance to the new pope."
Thursday's meeting with priests was the latest event in what has become a long goodbye to the man who has led the 1.2 billion-strong Roman Catholic church for eight years. On Wednesday night he presided at an Ash Wednesday mass that was moved to the vast St Peter's Basilica from its original venue in Rome.Thursday's meeting with priests was the latest event in what has become a long goodbye to the man who has led the 1.2 billion-strong Roman Catholic church for eight years. On Wednesday night he presided at an Ash Wednesday mass that was moved to the vast St Peter's Basilica from its original venue in Rome.
A capacity crowd gave him a thunderous standing ovation at his last public mass. In his homily he said the church had been at times "defaced" by scandals, divisions and rivalries.A capacity crowd gave him a thunderous standing ovation at his last public mass. In his homily he said the church had been at times "defaced" by scandals, divisions and rivalries.
"Thank you. Now, let's return to prayer," the pontiff said, bringing an end to several minutes of applause that clearly moved him. In an unusual gesture, bishops took off their mitres in a sign of respect."Thank you. Now, let's return to prayer," the pontiff said, bringing an end to several minutes of applause that clearly moved him. In an unusual gesture, bishops took off their mitres in a sign of respect.
The conservative Benedict has appointed more than half of the cardinals who will elect his successor, so it is unlikely the new man will tamper with any teachings such as the ban on artificial birth control or women priests. But many in the church have been calling for the election of someone who they say will be a better listener to other opinions within the church.The conservative Benedict has appointed more than half of the cardinals who will elect his successor, so it is unlikely the new man will tamper with any teachings such as the ban on artificial birth control or women priests. But many in the church have been calling for the election of someone who they say will be a better listener to other opinions within the church.
The likelihood that the next pope would be a younger man, and perhaps a non-Italian, is increasing, particularly because of the many mishaps caused by Benedict's mostly Italian top aides.The likelihood that the next pope would be a younger man, and perhaps a non-Italian, is increasing, particularly because of the many mishaps caused by Benedict's mostly Italian top aides.