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The Pope has left the Vatican City for the final time, travelling first by motorcade and then by helicopter to Castel Gandolfo.
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Along with you were glad -- -- with us.
The pontiff leaving the Vatican for the last time as -- today he's about to fly by helicopter.
To Castel Gandolfo.
-- he will bless the crowds of well wishers already gathered there today awaiting.
His -- big moment for that community.
The pope's retirement officially taking effect in just a few hours now before leaving the Vatican he delivered his final greetings to the cardinals urging them to working unity.
And promising unconditional reverence and obedience.
To his successor.
All of this very new to every -- and the last time a Pope resign.
1415.
Johnson when we say -- actually witnessing history and history that few have experienced before.
The facts all point to that.
Nobody has ever seen nobody alive now has seen what we are seeing now the resignation of a -- it is a historic day.
At the Vatican and really for the more than one billion Catholics all around the world.
-- Amy Kellogg is watching this history be made along with Father Jonathan Morris both are in Rome father Morris let me begin with you.
This is a man you -- to -- prior to his becoming Pope he was cardinal Ratzinger.
Tell us your -- It's now that he is stepping down.
You know John my my thoughts go back to it a time that I brought some college student's needs to do it every year but the last time that brought a group of college students to him.
To ask him questions just as kind of -- students with an academic.
I young people with the cardinal with the prince of the church.
-- I what I remember -- went up to him and I said your eminence.
What would you like me to give you the questions ahead of time that the students want to ask.
And he looked -- -- kind of like oh no sun don't worry I don't need that type of preparation but thank you very much and then he spent the next hour with these young people.
And she was so hold me in that environment but -- very shortly afterwards she was put onto the world stage and she was given out -- -- Hand of cards have beginning with the sexual abuse scandal that was right but the time the 2005.
But then.
Many other struggles within the church shouldn't globally as well -- he went to Reagan's Bergen gave that talk about Islam and the relationship with.
Natural law and moral truth -- he got so much backlash people even died over it but one thing after another and he says that weighed on him.
And the fact that he's now going off into the sunset not to give up.
But rather he said to serve the church and a different way -- and it's moving for me as a as someone who knew him.
I'm not as a best friend but certainly -- one who admired him and had that had the honor of spending time with.
Then let's watch as the Pope boards the papal helicopter presumably.
For the last time and heads to Castel Gandolfo.
The pope's summer residence a few miles from.
-- from -- You can see the better.
Oh -- there.
-- hope -- of past.
Previous eight Summers at Castel Gandolfo.
It will be a temporary residence for him for the next few months.
While.
A residence that is being prepared for him in the Vatican.
He is under renovations.
One presumes that 600 years ago the last time -- -- resigned it took.
Probably.
Months and years for the word to get around the world.
This is being beamed around the world instantaneously.
On television and via the Internet 504.
PM in Vatican City.
As they will fire up the -- and crank those rotors to carry the the pontiff to Castel Gandolfo a few miles away.
And then a little less than three hours from now.
His.
Resignation as -- officially.
Becomes.
Well it becomes enforceable.
-- Kellogg again is watching as -- -- the the rotors beginning determined turn Amy what is the reaction it was such a shock.
A couple of weeks back when this Pope announced he would actually be resigning office rather than dying in office.
-- the people there and and Roman the Vatican begun a process that's.
It's been an emotional roller coaster from what I can.
-- John I think a lot of people were shocked a lot of people felt that this isn't an ordinary job you don't retire from the -- to see.
But as time has progressed and people have.
Followed Pope Benedict the sixteenth possibly closer than ever before.
I think they have come to appreciate it great humility and someone who clearly is not seeking out the limelight.
Who probably does feel that someone else could do the job better with -- more -- right now.
Who possibly has been deeply wounded by a lot of that scandals and troubles that have.
-- the Catholic church and you really.
Didn't want this job in the first place John I was reading the and an -- You with him that was done somewhere towards the beginning of his pontificate when he said that he asked the lord what have you done from me.
I can't do this I need your help he had wanted to retire at that point.
And yesterday at his last public audience he said that he never felt alone.
Though there had been ups and downs and there had been times and he felt that god was sleeping but never.
Had never abandon him so I think it has been.
A difficult road for a very sensitive -- it turns out and speaking to a lot of them.
The -- that the Catholic Church over the last few days I've understood that.
Pope Benedict the sixteenth Joseph Ratzinger soon to be open Meredith is incredibly sensitive.
An incredibly courteous.
And gentle and kind and has felt terribly when he has put a foot wrong that to happen from time to time.
So this is very moving I think people have really come to appreciate and feel for him maybe more than they had.
During the years of his -- Pacific -- -- -- As we listen to the roar of the rotors says that helicopter prepares to lift -- let's also listen to the healing of the church bells.
As this Pope prepares to say goodbye.
