The faithful gather in front of Pope's summer residence of
Castel Gandolfo, the scenic town where Pope Benedict XVI will spend his first
post-Vatican days and make his last public blessing as pope, Thursday, Feb. 28,
2013.
The transcript of Pope Benedict XVI words
is below:
“Dear
friends, I'm happy to be with you, surrounded by the beauty of creation and
your well-wishes which do me such good. Thank you for your friendship, and your
affection. You know this day is different for me than the preceding ones: I am
no longer the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, or I will be until 8
o'clock this evening and then no more.
I
am simply a pilgrim is beginning the last leg of his pilgrimage on this Earth.
But I would still ... thank you ... I would still with my heart, with my love,
with my prayers, with my reflection, and with all my inner strength, like to
work for the common good and the good of the church and of humanity. I feel
very supported by your sympathy.
Let
us go forward with the Lord for the good of the church and the world. Thank
you, I now wholeheartedly impart my blessing. Blessed be God Almighty, Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. Good night! Thank you all!"