ROME - In his final hours as Pope, Benedict XVI met this Thursday morning with the cardinals. He urged them to be like an orchestra that harmonizes for the good of the Roman Catholic Church, pledging that he would behave with unconditional reverence and obedience toward his successor. After thanking the more than 100 cardinals collectively from his throne in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, the pontiff rose and greeted each of them individually.
He told them, «I will be close to you in prayer» as they meet in coming days to choose his successor from their ranks. It was one of the concluding acts of a nearly eight-year papacy. On February 11, Benedict XVI marked a turning point in history by announcing his resignation – he will no longer be the Pope from today, February 28, at 8 pm.
