Vatican: Pope Benedict to Adopt the Title 'Pontiff Emeritus' After Retirement Will Keep His White Cassock but Give Back Red Shoes

In the two weeks since Benedict's resignation announcement, Vatican
officials had suggested that Benedict would resume wearing the
traditional black garb of a cleric and would use the title 'emeritus
bishop of Rome' so as to not create confusion with the future pope.
Benedict's decision to call himself emeritus pope and to keep wearing
white will fan concern voiced privately by some cardinals about the
awkward reality of having two popes living within the Vatican walls.
Adding to the concern is the fact that Benedict's trusted secretary,
Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, will be serving both pontiffs - living with
Benedict at a monastery inside the Vatican and working in the new
Pope's household.
Benedict has made it clear he is retiring to a lifetime of prayer and
meditation 'hidden from the world'
However, he still will be very present in the tiny Vatican city-state,
where his new home is right next door to the Vatican Radio and has a
view of the dome of St Peter's Basilica.
In the absence of his red shoes, Benedict has taken a liking to a pair
of hand-crafted brown loafers made for him by artisans in Leon,
Mexico, and given to him during his 2012 visit.
Mr Lombardi also elaborated on the College of Cardinals meetings that
will take place after the papacy becomes vacant - crucial gatherings
in which cardinals will discuss the problems facing the church and set
a date for the startof the conclave to elect Benedict's successor.
The first meeting is not expected until Monday, since the official
convocation to cardinals to come to Rome will only go out on Friday-
the first day of what's known as the 'sede vacante,' or the vacancy
between papacies.
In all, 115 cardinals under the ageof 80 are expected in Rome for the
conclave to vote on who should become the next pope.
Benedict yesterday gave the cardinals cardinals will discuss the
problems facing the church and set a date for the startof the conclave
to elect Benedict's successor.
The first meeting is not expected until Monday, since the official
convocation to cardinals to come to Rome will only go out on Friday-
the first day of what's known as the 'sede vacante,' or the vacancy
between papacies.
In all, 115 cardinals under the ageof 80 are expected in Rome for the
conclave to vote on who should become the next pope.
Benedict yesterday gave the cardinals cardinals will discuss the
problems facing the church and set a date for the startof the conclave
to elect Benedict's successor.
The first meeting is not expected until Monday, since the official
convocation to cardinals to come to Rome will only go out on Friday-
the first day of what's known as the 'sede vacante,' or the vacancy
between papacies.
In all, 115 cardinals under the ageof 80 are expected in Rome for the
conclave to vote on who should become the next pope.
Benedict yesterday gave the cardinals cardinals will discuss the
problems facing the church and set a date for the startof the conclave
to elect Benedict's successor.
The first meeting is not expected until Monday, since the official
convocation to cardinals to come to Rome will only go out on Friday-
the first day of what's known as the 'sede vacante,' or the vacancy
between papacies.
In all, 115 cardinals under the ageof 80 are expected in Rome for the
conclave to vote on who should become the next pope.
Benedict on tuesday gave the cardinals the go-ahead to move up the
start date of the conclave, abolishing the traditional 15-day waiting
period.
Mr Lombardi also further described Benedict's final 48 hours as Pope.
On Tuesday, he was packing, arranging for documents to be sent to the
various archives at the Vatican and separating out the personal papers
he will take with him into retirement.
On Wednesday, Benedict held his final public general audience in St
Peter's Square - an event that has already seen 50,000 ticket
requests.
On Thursday, the Pope meets with his cardinals in the morning and then
flies by helicopter at 5pm to Castel Gandolfo, the papal residence
south of Rome. He will greet parishioners there from the palazzo's
loggia - his final public act as pope.
At 8pm, the exact time at which his retirement becomes official, the
Swiss Guards standing outside the doors of the palazzo at Castel
Gandolfo will go off duty, their service protecting the head of the
Catholic Church now finished.