Benedict XVI leaves Vatican on final day as Pope

Benedict XVI yesterday undertook his final journey as Pope, when he left the Vatican aboard a helicopter to head to a papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, 24 km south-east of the Italian capital.

Before that, applause rippled as the pontiff was greeted for the last time by top officials in the Curia - the administrative body that runs the Holy See. The 85-year-old pontiff landed at Castel Gandolfo about 15 minutes later.

He then appeared at a window overlooking the public square in Castel Gandolfo to bless a cheering crowd. "Thank you very much for your friendship," Benedict said.

"As of 20:00 (19:00 GMT) I'll no longer be a pontiff. I will simply be a pilgrim who is starting the last phase of his pilgrimage on this earth. Let's go forward with God for the good of the Church and the world."

His deputy, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, will be in charge of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics until a new pope is elected next month.

Benedict, the first pontiff in 600 years to step down, earlier met his cardinals to vow "unconditional obedience and reverence" to his eventual successor.

The German pontiff, who was born Joseph Ratzinger, will continue to be known as Benedict XVI, with the new title of "pope emeritus".

The long-time theologian is also expected eventually to retire to a monastery on a hill inside Vatican City, with officials saying he will not be able intervene publicly in the papacy of his successor, though he may offer advice.

His successor must focus on reforming the Vatican bureaucracy, which has often been overly hesitant to react to the various crises that have arisen during Benedict's papacy, the BBC's David Willey reports from the Vatican.

Earlier on Thursday, the Pope received the cardinals at the Vatican's Clementine Hall, warmly embracing Cardinal Angelo Sodano, who passed on best wishes on behalf of those gathered.

"Among you there is also the future pope to whom I promise my unconditional obedience and reverence," the pontiff said. "The Church is a living being," he added, but it "also remains always the same".

In his public farewell speech yesterday, Benedict hinted at Vatican infighting, an issue that many pointed as the leading contributor to his unexpected resignation.

His decision to resign has been openly criticised by Australia's top Catholic, Cardinal George Pell, who questioned his leadership skills.

The resignation also comes in the wake of several scandals that rocked the Church over sexual abuse by priests, as well as leaked confidential documents revealing internal corruption and feuding.