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Denver Archdiocese to Give Thanks for Papacy of Pope Benedict XVI
On Thursday, Feb. 28, the Archdiocese of Denver will give thanks for the papacy of Benedict XVI with a Holy Hour and Mass of Thanksgiving at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 1530 Logan St., Denver, Colo., 80203.
The Papacy of Benedict XVI is set to end at 8 p.m. Rome Time (12 p.m. MST) on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.
GENERAL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
1530 Logan St., Denver, Colo., 80203
10 a.m.-11 a.m. Interview availability for Participating Media
See below for more details
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Holy Hour with the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
12:10 p.m. Mass of Thanksgiving for Papacy of Benedict XVI
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE
At 10 a.m., Msgr. Anthony McDaid, pastor of Risen Christ Church, and Ben Akers, director of the Denver Catholic Biblical School and Catechetical School, will be available for interviews.
Msgr. Anthony McDaid
Msgr. Anthony McDaid holds a doctorate in Canon Law, and served as an official at the Congregation for Clergy in the Vatican for more than 18 years. He returned to the Archdiocese of Denver this year, and currently serves as the pastor of Risen Christ.
Msgr. McDaid is able to comment on the process of the conclave, his experience working with Benedict XVI, and other matters related to Church Law.
Ben Akers
Ben Akers is director of the Denver Catholic Biblical School and Catechetical School, where he teaches courses both on sacred Scripture and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He has several theology degrees, including a degree in sacred theology from a pontifical university.
Akers is able to comment on the legacy of Benedict XVI as a theologian and Scripture Scholar.
SUMMARY OF POPE’S LAST DAY
On Thursday, Feb. 28, Benedict XVI will meet in the morning with the cardinals present in Rome.
At 4:55 p.m. Rome Time, Benedict XVI will quickly say a final farewell to his staff and to the Swiss Guards at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, and at 5 p.m. he will travel by helicopter to the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.
Upon arrival, at approximately 5:15 p.m., he will be received by a delegation of bishops and local civil authorities. He will then proceed to the balcony, where he will greet the crowds gathered below in the courtyard.
At 8 p.m. Rome Time, the papacy of Benedict XVI will officially end, at which time the Swiss Guards in Castel Gandolfo will depart and close the doors to the Apostolic Palace. The pope’s security will be taken over by the Vatican police.
Benedict XVI will from then on be referred to as “Pope Emeritus” or “Roman Pontiff Emeritus,” and will be addressed as “His Holiness Benedict XVI.”
The pope will relinquish his “Fisherman’s Ring,” which will be destroyed, along with the lead seal of his pontificate. This task will take place in private at an undisclosed time following the end of the current papacy.
Benedict XVI will wear the episcopal ring that he wore as a cardinal.
The pontiff will continue to wear the white cassock that is worn only by popes, but he will not wear the mozzetta (elbow-length cape), or the red papal shoes. Instead, it has been reported that he will don a pair of brown loafers.
Benedict XVI will reside at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo until he is able to move into the convent of Mater Ecclesiae (Mother of the Church). He will retire to a life of prayer, study and writing.
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