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Friday, March 01, 2013

Pope Benedict bids final public farewell

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy (Reuters) - Pope Benedict said a final public farewell on Thursday before his pontificate ends, telling a crowd in front of his temporary residence outside Rome that he was preparing to enter the last phase of his life.

"As you know today is different to previous ones. I will only be the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church until 8 p.m. (7 p.m. British Time)," he said.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo February 28, 2013. Pope Benedict slips quietly from the world stage on Thursday after a private last goodbye to his cardinals and a short flight to a country palace to enter the final phase of his life "hidden from the world". REUTERS/ Tony Gentile
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo February 28, 2013. Pope Benedict slips quietly from the world stage on Thursday after a private last goodbye to his cardinals and a short flight to a country palace to enter the final phase of his life "hidden from the world". REUTERS/ Tony Gentile

"After that I will simply be a pilgrim who is starting the last phase of his pilgrimage on this earth."

(Reporting By Philip Pullella; editing by Barry Moody)

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