This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/28/pope-benedict-pledges-obediance-successor
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Pope Benedict pledges 'obedience' to successor | Pope Benedict pledges 'obedience' to successor |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Pope Benedict XVI has pledged his "unconditional reverence and obedience" to whoever succeeds him as head of the Roman Catholic church as he prepares to stand down. | Pope Benedict XVI has pledged his "unconditional reverence and obedience" to whoever succeeds him as head of the Roman Catholic church as he prepares to stand down. |
| In an apparent attempt to defuse growing concerns that his abdication – the first in almost 600 years – would sow further division among the church, Benedict told assembled cardinals in the Vatican they should be unified in their future action. | In an apparent attempt to defuse growing concerns that his abdication – the first in almost 600 years – would sow further division among the church, Benedict told assembled cardinals in the Vatican they should be unified in their future action. |
| "Before greeting you individually, I would like to tell you that I will continue to be close to you in prayer, especially in the coming days," he said towards the end of a speech in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. "Among you is the future pope, to whom I promise my unconditional reverence and obedience." | "Before greeting you individually, I would like to tell you that I will continue to be close to you in prayer, especially in the coming days," he said towards the end of a speech in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. "Among you is the future pope, to whom I promise my unconditional reverence and obedience." |
| Benedict – whose resignation will come into effect at 8pm (7pm GMT) on Thursday – spoke of his desire to see the college of cardinals unified "like an orchestra", where harmony existed alongside diversity, which he said was "the expression of universal church". | Benedict – whose resignation will come into effect at 8pm (7pm GMT) on Thursday – spoke of his desire to see the college of cardinals unified "like an orchestra", where harmony existed alongside diversity, which he said was "the expression of universal church". |
| His remarks came after one cardinal made several critical comments about Benedict and his decision to stand down. George Pell, an Australian cardinal and archbishop of Sydney, told the Seven Network on Wednesday that the move might set a worrying precedent. | His remarks came after one cardinal made several critical comments about Benedict and his decision to stand down. George Pell, an Australian cardinal and archbishop of Sydney, told the Seven Network on Wednesday that the move might set a worrying precedent. |
| "People who, for example, might disagree with a future pope will mount a campaign to get him to resign," he said. He went on to describe the outgoing pontiff as a "brilliant teacher" but said "government wasn't his strongest point. He's got to know his theology, but I think I prefer somebody who can lead the church and pull it together a bit." | "People who, for example, might disagree with a future pope will mount a campaign to get him to resign," he said. He went on to describe the outgoing pontiff as a "brilliant teacher" but said "government wasn't his strongest point. He's got to know his theology, but I think I prefer somebody who can lead the church and pull it together a bit." |
| The farewell meeting with the cardinals was Benedict's final high-profile engagement as pope in the Vatican. After saying goodbye to the pontifical household, he will leave the Apostolic Palace at 5pm and be flown by helicopter to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, about 15 miles southeast of Rome. | The farewell meeting with the cardinals was Benedict's final high-profile engagement as pope in the Vatican. After saying goodbye to the pontifical household, he will leave the Apostolic Palace at 5pm and be flown by helicopter to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, about 15 miles southeast of Rome. |
| Soon after, amid the greetings of residents and pilgrims, he will make his final appearance as pope on the balcony of the palace. At 8pm the Swiss guards, whose job it is to guard the pope, will go off duty from the gates of the palace. They are expected to be replaced by Vatican police. | Soon after, amid the greetings of residents and pilgrims, he will make his final appearance as pope on the balcony of the palace. At 8pm the Swiss guards, whose job it is to guard the pope, will go off duty from the gates of the palace. They are expected to be replaced by Vatican police. |
| On Wednesday, the pope told pilgrims in St Peter's Square that there had been moments in his papacy during which God "seemed to be sleeping". Before the cardinals, he reiterated that sentiment, telling them that while there had been "beautiful moments of radiant light", there had also been times at which "some clouds darkened the sky". | On Wednesday, the pope told pilgrims in St Peter's Square that there had been moments in his papacy during which God "seemed to be sleeping". Before the cardinals, he reiterated that sentiment, telling them that while there had been "beautiful moments of radiant light", there had also been times at which "some clouds darkened the sky". |
| Once retired, the cleric will still be addressed as "Your Holiness Benedict XVI" but his title will be either emeritus pope or emeritus Roman pontiff. He will trade his famous red shoes for some brown loafers given to him in Mexico last year, but will continue to wear a cassock in the traditional papal colour of white. | Once retired, the cleric will still be addressed as "Your Holiness Benedict XVI" but his title will be either emeritus pope or emeritus Roman pontiff. He will trade his famous red shoes for some brown loafers given to him in Mexico last year, but will continue to wear a cassock in the traditional papal colour of white. |
| Castel Gandolfo, which has played host to numerous popes over the past four centuries, overlooks a lake and offers views of the surrounding countryside. As he waits for his permanent residence inside Vatican walls to be renovated, the 85-year-old Bavarian will be able to enjoy its manicured gardens and sumptuous interiors. The residence, which is under pontifical jurisdiction, has its own farm, with cows, hens, cockerels and bees. | Castel Gandolfo, which has played host to numerous popes over the past four centuries, overlooks a lake and offers views of the surrounding countryside. As he waits for his permanent residence inside Vatican walls to be renovated, the 85-year-old Bavarian will be able to enjoy its manicured gardens and sumptuous interiors. The residence, which is under pontifical jurisdiction, has its own farm, with cows, hens, cockerels and bees. |
| Some residents have said the pope's resignation has been hard for them to understand. "Let's say that we are in the process of reappraising the figure of the pope. We have faith in him even if he has placed a big question mark over the faith in the church, a very big question mark," said Veronica Radoi, 30, an employee in a local restaurant. "But I can see that he is tired. We hope he'll find peace here." | Some residents have said the pope's resignation has been hard for them to understand. "Let's say that we are in the process of reappraising the figure of the pope. We have faith in him even if he has placed a big question mark over the faith in the church, a very big question mark," said Veronica Radoi, 30, an employee in a local restaurant. "But I can see that he is tired. We hope he'll find peace here." |
| Gianpiero, a 70-year-old resident who did not give his surname, said he was surprised when he heard the news, but he "accepted it, with no judgment". He added: "It's an important day for us because the locals of Castel Gandolfo are very tied to the pope and the papacy. For 400 years the popes have been coming here during summer. Today we feel very honoured that he is coming to spend this time with us." | Gianpiero, a 70-year-old resident who did not give his surname, said he was surprised when he heard the news, but he "accepted it, with no judgment". He added: "It's an important day for us because the locals of Castel Gandolfo are very tied to the pope and the papacy. For 400 years the popes have been coming here during summer. Today we feel very honoured that he is coming to spend this time with us." |
| Meanwhile cardinals from all over the world will begin informal consultations in the Vatican on how to move on with the process of choosing a successor. There is no date for the conclave to begin, but it could be as early as next week. There will be no representative of the UK after Cardinal Keith O'Brien's forced resignation on Monday. | Meanwhile cardinals from all over the world will begin informal consultations in the Vatican on how to move on with the process of choosing a successor. There is no date for the conclave to begin, but it could be as early as next week. There will be no representative of the UK after Cardinal Keith O'Brien's forced resignation on Monday. |
| In his final audience as pope on Wednesday, Benedict was greeted by tens of thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square and banners that variously read "Thank you!" and "You will never be alone". Benedict's eight years as head of the Catholic church were marred by the unfolding clerical abuse scandal in Europe and the US and by the "Vatileaks" affair, involving the leaking of Vatican documents. | In his final audience as pope on Wednesday, Benedict was greeted by tens of thousands of pilgrims in St Peter's Square and banners that variously read "Thank you!" and "You will never be alone". Benedict's eight years as head of the Catholic church were marred by the unfolding clerical abuse scandal in Europe and the US and by the "Vatileaks" affair, involving the leaking of Vatican documents. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |