What will the Pope do when he is no longer Pope?
Vatican City: Benedict XVI will temporarily withdraw toCastel Gandolfo on February 28, when his resignation takes effect. He will live there until the completion of the restoration of a Vatican monastery for cloistered nuns,where he will retire in prayer and study.
The Vatican confirmed that the conclave will take place in March. All agree, it will be an extremely important time for the Church.
GREG BURKE, Vatican Media Adviser:
“It is a very interesting moment because we have cardinals from all over the world voting in the college.”
His decision to resign is surprising, but he had talked about it before. The Vatican spokesperson, Federico Lombardi, cited the statement Benedict XVI made in the book “Light of the World,” where he reiterated that there are circumstances where the Pope has the right and even an obligation to resign. The Vatican's media adviser says his decision is humble and meditated, making him an ever more memorable figure.
“I think obviously, he is the Pope, he has the grace which comes from being the pope. If he made the decision in the presence of God, it surprised me but it did not shock me. He says he's obviously calm externally and very serene, but more importantly, he's obviously very serene with his conscience too before God. He says 'I gave what I could I did what I could and I´m not the right man of the job right now because of my physical capabilities.'”
In 2007, Benedict XVI named Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as Camerlengo, the person that will temporarily take care of the administrative duties of the Holy See, until a new Pontiff is chosen.
source: romereports