BENEDICT XVI IN HIS LAST 12 HOURS OF HIS PONTIFICATE....

It is 11 p.m. Pacific Time February 27th, in California USA, and 8 a.m. in Vatican City State Europe, February 28th, and Pope Benedict XVI, is in the final twelve hours he will be the governing 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church.  In a final week caused by a historic personal decision to resign as the Successor of St. Peter, the first Supreme Pontiff of Catholic-Christianity to retire rather than die as Pope, Benedict XVI has carried out his last papal duties and ceremonies, amid news reports in the media of scandal and conjecture about gay priests, male prostitutes, and blackmail, in the Vatican; and the unexpected resignation and withdrawal from the next Conclave of the Cardinal Archbishop of St, Andrews Edinburgh in Scotland, because of inappropriate activity with some of his priests.  Joined with fallout from the sexual abuse of minors scandal during his eight years as Pope, and last year's papal butler / Vatileaks trial, has colored the coverage and experience of his last days in the Holy See.  The inclusion of these stories led the Vatican Press Office last Saturday to issue a statement declaring,  "unverified, unverifiable, or completely false news stories", are being used in the media to shape the outcome of the approaching Conclave and its election of a new Pope.  Such controversial and salacious coverage also threatens to overshadow much of the productive substance of Benedict XVI's Pontificate; the teachings and writings as Holy Father he has given among them three encyclical letters.  At his Farewell Wednesday Audience twenty one hours ago Benedict made reference to all this and what he has experienced since becoming Pope on April 19, 2005; proclaimed in a succinct phrase, indicating there have been many, "days of sunshine"...and yet, "times when the waters were rough"..."and the Lord seemed to sleep".  After a very full, active day of meetings with Vatican colleagues, other dignataries and being present at the massively attended Audience in St. Peter's Square on his final complete day before resigning, Thursday has intentionally been planned as a quieter and less eventful day.  One last meeting with members of the College of Cardinals, most of whom have assembled in Rome since +Bendedict announced he will step down, as of 8 p.m. Vatican Time February 28th, is on his official schedule before departing by helicopter nine hours from now, for the short flight to Castel Gandolfo, Italy; the summer residence of the Pope, where he will reside for the next two months, as he transitions into his desired retirement in seclusion for prayer, study, and writing.  The well planned ceremony of farewell from the Vatican, surrounded by senior staff members and a detail of the traditional papal protectors, the Swiss Guards, will be replicated three hours later, at 8 p.m. Italian Time, 11 a.m. Pacific Time Thursday, when after an ultimate appearance on the balcony of Castel Gandolfo, he will disappear into the holiday papal residence and the Swiss Guards in attendance at the gates ceremonially withdraw, and set in motion the predominate waiting for the election of the 266th Successor of St. Peter, that will open just days from now.  God Bless Joseph Ratzinger, - Pope Benedict XVI, as he transitions into history twelve hours from now.  More To Come on this Momentous Day for the Church in the World.............tdp/unc