
Pope Benedict XVI will soon be Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI.
Given the fact that a Papal retirement hasn’t happened in 600 years, Pope Benedict XVI’s final days are a buzzing hive of activity as Vatican officials prepare to figure out just what to do with the soon-to-be former leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics. As Benedict gives his final address to the public at a 50,000-strong gathering in St. Peter’s Square, Catholic leadership are making their final plans on what to do with Benedict XVI. Benedict XVI will retain the title of His Holiness in retirement, gaining the new title Emeritus Pope in the process.
In retirement, Benedict will continue to wear a white cassock–albeit without the emblems of papal authority–with a change. His trademark red shoes are going to be replaced with a pair of brown handmade shoes given to Benedict during his 2012 world tour while in Mexico. With the papal apartments no longer belonging to him, Benedict will find a new home within the Vatican. He currently plans on moving into a three-story former nunnery on Vatican grounds to devote himself to a life of prayer and study. Sounds like nice work if you can get it.
Until his new digs are ready, Pope Benedict plans on moving to Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer home, about 15 miles south of Rome.
Tags: catholic church, pope benedict xvi, pope benedict to become emeritus pope, emeritus pope, emeritus pope benedict xvi, emeritus pope benedict to wear white cassock, papal law, pope benedict retirement, st. peter’s square, the vatican, rome, pope benedict to move into former nunnery, Castel Gandolfo