PHOTOS OF THE DAY: RARE SIGHT OF TWO POPES TOGETHER

This is the first time in more than 600 years that two popes will be alive at the same time and in each others company. Usually one would have to die before the other takes over...but Pope Benedict XVI retired last month.

Pope Francis flew to Castel Gandolfo by helicopter yesterday to visit Benedict who has been living at the papal villa since he officially retired on February 28. They prayed together in the chapel before sharing a private lunch. 

NO POPE AT FIRST BALLOT

Cardinals yesterday at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City had the first ballot of the conclave to select a new pope– but the ballot did not produce a pope.

The so-called Princes of the Church assembled in the ornate chapel to decide on a new pontiff.

There first ballot , which led to the emission of black smoke indicating there was no decision yet on the next pope, was around 7pm (GMT).

The day began with a Latin Mass in St Peter’s for the cardinals and public and which is traditionally held before the conclave starts and is known as “pro eligendo Romano Pontifice”.

INSIDE THE EMERITUS POPE’S NEW HOME

Even though Pope Benedict XVI is leaving the papacy, he’ll remain in sumptuous, familiar surroundings — at least for a few weeks.

Sometime in April, Benedict will take up permanent residence in Mater Ecclesiae, a modest convent for cloistered nuns at the Vatican. The convent is under renovation, however, so in the meantime, Benedict will live at Castel Gandolfo, the small town of about 8,000 people a few miles southeast of Rome that has been the summer retreat for popes for almost four centuries.

Vatican records indicate that Benedict has spent an average of five weeks a year at the grand Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo since he assumed the papacy in 2005, so he should feel quite at home.

POPE BENEDICT FINALLY BOWS OUT AMIDST EMOTION

Pope Benedict XVI made what is likely to be his last public appearance yesterday, thanking cheering crowds for their “friendship” as he stepped down as leader of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.

“I am no longer the pope but I am still in the church. I’m just a pilgrim who is starting the last part of his pilgrimage on this earth,” he said.

Benedict’s historic resignation as pope took effect from 8pm (2 pm, ET).

His final words and a blessing were given to some 10,000 people who had gathered at Castel Gandolfo, the summer papal residence, to bid him an emotional farewell.

POPE BENEDICT ADMITS A STORMY REIGN AS HE BOWS OUT

Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday admitted “stormy waters” during his papacy as he gave his farewell speech in St Peter’s Square before tens of thousands of pilgrims on the eve of his momentous resignation.

A smiling Benedict looked relaxed as his white “popemobile” bore him through the famous plaza where more than 150,000 people had gathered under a bright, cloudless sky for his historic sendoff.

A woman clutching a rosary wiped away tears as the octogenarian Benedict passed. One of the hundreds of cardinals and bishops in their red and purple-sashed robes could also be seen tearing up.

Some in the throng held up huge banners with messages such as “Benedict, we’ll miss you!” and “The pope is the heart of this city!” or waved the Vatican’s yellow and white flag at the pontiff’s last public event.

THE CHURCH, THE VATICAN AND THE PAPACY

The greatest institution in the entire world is the Catholic Church. Her greatness often leads so many people to develop interest in her. Once you talk about the Church, you are invariably talking about the Papacy, that is, the system of government of the Catholic Church with Pope as the head.  But who on this earth can, with his finite brain, comprehend exhaustively the phenomena of the Pope and of the church.  Many claims are made, many points are raised, many objections are put forward but the question about the papacy remains not adequately answered.  This piece wishes to lend its voice to the awe-inspiring institution of the papacy, taking cognisance of its foundation, structure, problems, achievements and shortcomings; and contemporary papacy as embodied in the Popes of 20th/21st centuries.

POPE BENEDICT SUFFERS MEMORY LOSS •HAD HEART SURGERY 3 MONTHS AGO

•Had heart surgery three months ago to replace pacemaker’s battery
•May have been forced to resign by splinter group of cardinals
Fresh details have emerged about Pope Benedict XVI’s failing health, which the 85-year-old Catholic pontif, gave as his reason for deciding to resign come February 28.

His decision to resign may be linked to his failing heart condition, as it was gathered on Tuesday, that the Pope, three months ago had heart surgery to have the pacemaker’s batteries fitted into his heart replaced.

He is also believed to be struggling with his memory.

The Vatican has acknowledged that the pontiff has had a pacemaker for years.

POPE TO RESIGN 28 FEBRUARY

A Vatican Spokesman has said that Pope Benedict XVl will resign 28 February, an unusual development from the Papacy today.

When he goes, he will be the first Pope to do so in centuries.

“The pope announced that he will leave his ministry at 8:00 pm (1900 GMT) on February 28,” said the spokesman, Federico Lombardi. His retirement, according to the spokesman is linked to his old age. He is 85 years old.

The Vatican said a new pope would be elected next month.

“We should have a new pope for Easter,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told reporters, saying a conclave could be held within 15 or 20 days of the resignation.

Pope Benedict XVl was born April 16, 1927 in on April 16, 1927, in Marktl am Inn, in the predominantly Catholic southern German region of Bavaria. His full name is Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger