Pope Benedict XVI speaks to the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Thursday, February 28.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Pope Benedict XVI speaks to the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Thursday, February 28.
TONY GENTILE/reuters/LANDOV
A woman watches a screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City on February 28.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
A woman watches a screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City on February 28.
STEFANO RELLANDINI/reuters/LANDOV
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd from a balcony upon his arrival in Castel Gandolfo.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd from a balcony upon his arrival in Castel Gandolfo.
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
Nuns wait for Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Nuns wait for Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
Oli Scarff/Getty Images
A crowd packs Castel Gandolfo for Pope Benedict XVI's final appearance.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
A crowd packs Castel Gandolfo for Pope Benedict XVI's final appearance.
MICHAEL KAPPELER/epa/LANDOV
A nun looks out from the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
A nun looks out from the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.
MICHAEL KAPPELER/DPA/LANDOV
People watch a giant screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
People watch a giant screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City.
REUTERS /STEFANO RELLANDINI /LANDOV
Nuns watch from Vatican City as Pope Benedict XVI leaves the balcony of the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Nuns watch from Vatican City as Pope Benedict XVI leaves the balcony of the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
GUIDO MONTANI/epa/LANDOV
The faithful gather for a last farewell to Pope Benedict XVI.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
The faithful gather for a last farewell to Pope Benedict XVI.
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
The helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI aboard flies past St. Peter's Square.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
The helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI aboard flies past St. Peter's Square.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images
People crowd the gallery on top of St. Peter's Basilica as a helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI passes by on its way out of Vatican City.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
People crowd the gallery on top of St. Peter's Basilica as a helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI passes by on its way out of Vatican City.
Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Pope Benedict XVI walks away from the window at Castel Gandolfo for the last time as head of the Catholic Church. He started his retirement February 28.
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Pope Benedict XVI walks away from the window at Castel Gandolfo for the last time as head of the Catholic Church. He started his retirement February 28.
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images