Images: Pope Benedict XVI retires
Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile wearing a sombrero as he arrives to give a Mass in Bicentennial Park near Silao, Mexico.
Associated Press/March 2012
Archbishop Piero Marini drapes Pope Benedict XVI with the pallium during his installment Mass in St. Peters Square at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
Pope Benedict XVI stands by the salvaged remains of Pope Celestine V in the 13th-century Santa Maria di Collemaggio Basilica, the symbol of the city of LAquila, whose roof partially caved in during an earthquake.
Associated Press/April 2009
Pope Benedict XVI waves to well-wishers as he leaves the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris.
Associated Press/September 2008
Pope Benedict XVI wipes his face during a solemn adoration of the Eucharist in St. Peters Basilica at the Vatican.
Associated Press/October 2005
Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd after celebrating his installation Mass in St. Peters Square at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
Pope Benedict XVI stands by the salvaged remains of Pope Celestine V in the 13th-century Santa Maria di Collemaggio Basilica, the symbol of the city of LAquila.
Associated Press/April 2009
FPope Benedict XVI stands by the salvaged remains of Pope Celestine V in the 13th-century Santa Maria di Collemaggio Basilica, the symbol of the city of LAquila.
Associated Press/April 2009
In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper LOsservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI, center, leaves after attending a meeting of Vatican cardinals where he read a document in Latin in which he announced his resignation.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI reads a document in Latin where he announces his resignation Monday during a meeting of Vatican cardinals.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message Monday at the end of a meeting of Vatican cardinals.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI lifting his scull cap during an ecumenical meeting at the Holy Trinity church in Warsaw, Poland.
Associated Press/May 2006
Pope Benedict XVI arrives in the popemobile to celebrate a Mass on the outskirts of Angolas seaside capital, Luanda.
Associated Press/March 2009
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing Monday at the end of a meeting of Vatican cardinals.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI, center, holds a cross as he celebrates his installment Mass in St. Peters Square at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peters Basilica moments after being elected.
Associated Press/April 2005
Pope Benedict XVI, third from left, delivers his message Monday at the end of a meeting of Vatican cardinals.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI, center, leaves after attending a meeting of Vatican cardinals Monday where he read a document in Latin announcing his resignation.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI leaves after a special audience he granted to members of the Sister Nature foundation in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican.
Associated Press/November 2011
Pope Benedict XVI, right, and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, hug each other after the pontiff announced Monday during the meeting of Vatican cardinals that he would resign on Feb. 28.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI greeting the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peters Basilica moments after being elected at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Dean of the College of Cardinals, center, talks to other cardinals Monday after Pope Benedict XVI, not pictured, announced his resignation during a meeting with the cardinals at the Vatican.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from the central balcony of St. Peters Basilica moments after being elected at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message Monday at the end of a meeting of Vatican cardinals at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2009
Pope Benedict XVIs studio window is seen framed by a statue at the Vatican.
Associated Press
Thousands of people attend the installment Mass of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peters Square at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
Vatican master of Ceremonies Archbishop Piero Marini, not pictured, adjusts the skullcap of Pope Benedict XVI during his installment Mass in St. Peters Square at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
The Latin text which Pope Benedict XVI read Monday during a meeting with Vatican cardinals where he announced his resignation is shown to journalists at the Vatican press hall during a news conference by Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, not pictured, at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
A Vatican usher, foreground, closes a door as Pope Benedict XVI leaves after an audience in Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican.
Associated Press/June 2007
Pope Benedict XVI, center, reads a document in Latin where he announces his resignation Monday during a meeting of Vatican cardinals.
Associated Press
Mons. Franco Comaldo, left, a pope aide, looks at Pope Benedict XVI Monday as he reads a document in Latin where he announces his resignation, during a meeting of Vatican cardinals.
Associated Press
Cardinals talk among themselves after Pope Benedict XVI, not pictured, announced his resignation Monday during a meeting with the cardinals, at the Vatican. The decision sets the stage for a conclave to elect a new pope before the end of March.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI walks away from his studio window overlooking St. Peters Square Sunday after delivering his Angelus noon prayer at the Vatican.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI, sitting on the throne at center-right, attends a meeting of Vatican cardinals at the Vatican.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI openshis arms as he celebrates his installment Mass in St. Peters Square at the Vatican.
Associated Press/April 2005
Pope Benedict XVI, sitting on the throne at left, attends a meeting of Vatican cardinals at the Vatican.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves Paul VI hall after attending a concert of the Asturias Principality Symphony Orchestra directed by Chilean conductor Maximiano Valdes.
Associated Press/November 2011
Pope Benedict XVI delivers his message Monday at the end of a meeting of Vatican cardinals at the Vatican.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of an audience with newly-appointed cardinals and their relatives in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.
Associated Press/November 2010
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leaves Paul VI hall after attending a concert of the Asturias Principality Symphony Orchestra directed by Chilean conductor Maximiano Valdes.
Associated Press/November 2011
Pope Benedict XVI leaves at the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peters Square at the Vatican.
Associated Press/June 2010
Mons. Franco Comaldo, a pope aide, left, looks at Pope Benedict XVI as he reads a document in Latin where he announces his resignation Monday during a meeting of Vatican cardinals at the Vatican.
Associated Press
Pope Benedict XVI offers a nun the Holy Communion, a Chrism Mass inside St. Peters Basilica at the Vatican, as Benedict XVI celebrated a Holy Thursday Mass that included the traditional blessing of holy oils some of which the church will send to an earthquake zone as a sign of closeness to the stricken population.
Associated Press/April 2009
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