Pope to begin historic retirement today - KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports

Pope to begin historic retirement today

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VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI will make history today, becoming the first pontiff in almost 600 years to resign.

After meeting with cardinals this morning at the Vatican, Benedict will helicopter to Castel Gandolfo, the papal retreat south of Rome. He'll remain there while cardinals from around the world meet in a Vatican conclave to choose his successor.

On Wednesday, an estimated 150,000 people flooded St. Peter's Square for Benedict's last general audience. He told the crowd that there had been moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of difficulty when "it seemed like the Lord was sleeping."

Benedict clearly enjoyed the occasion, taking a long victory lap around the square in an open-sided car and stopping to kiss and bless half a dozen babies and infants handed to him by his secretary.

Benedict's papacy will officially end at 8:00 p.m. in Italy - 2:00 p.m. eastern time in the U.S.

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