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As His Papacy Ends, Benedict XVI Leaves Vatican For Castel Gandolfo

Feb 28, 2013

With just hours left in office, Pope Benedict XVI has left the Vatican and flown to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo.

The first Pope to retire in six centuries, Benedict was accorded the usual security and protocol of a Head of State as he departed the Vatican.

At 8pm local time the Swiss Guard will vacate their posts at Castel Gandolfo, the papal apartments will be sealed and Benedict’s papal ring will be smashed.

The process of convening the Conclave that will elect Benedict’s replacement will begin tomorrow.

Benedict

Benedict

Benedict [Read more…]

Filed Under: Catholicism Tagged With: ,

Kevin Rudd Interviewed On Anniversary Of Stolen Generations Apology

Feb 12, 2013

This interview with Kevin Rudd was conducted by David Speers and shown on Sky News.

Rudd discusses the anniversary of the Apology to the Stolen Generations and the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI.

He also obliquely criticises Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Treasurer Wayne Swan over their handling of the mining tax.

This is Rudd’s speech to Reconciliation South Australia on February 13, 2013:


Filed Under: Gillard, Indigenous, Mining, Rudd, Video Tagged With: , , , ,

Pope Benedict XVI To Resign On February 28; First Papal Resignation Since 1415

Feb 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI is to resign on February 28.

Citing health concerns, the former Cardinal Ratzinger, Archbishop of Munich and Freising, has been Pope since 2005.

Pope Gregory XII was the last Pope to resign, in 1415.

Statement released by the Vatican.

Pope

Dear Brothers,

I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry. I am well aware that this ministry, due to its essential spiritual nature, must be carried out not only with words and deeds, but no less with prayer and suffering. However, in today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.

Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer.

From the Vatican,

10 February 2013

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

Filed Under: Religion, Video Tagged With: ,