![Pope Benedict XVI speaks to the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Thursday, February 28.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228134755-05-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_3480,h_1957,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Pope Benedict XVI speaks to the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on Thursday, February 28.
![A woman watches a screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City on February 28.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228135301-06-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_3500,h_1968,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
A woman watches a screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City on February 28.
![Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd from a balcony upon his arrival in Castel Gandolfo.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228115954-03-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_3600,h_2400,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd from a balcony upon his arrival in Castel Gandolfo.
![Nuns wait for Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228135429-07-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_3500,h_1968,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Nuns wait for Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
![A crowd packs Castel Gandolfo for Pope Benedict XVI's final appearance.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228135554-08-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_4096,h_2304,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
A crowd packs Castel Gandolfo for Pope Benedict XVI's final appearance.
![A nun looks out from the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228135700-09-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_5423,h_3050,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
A nun looks out from the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo.
![People watch a giant screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228140153-10-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_3500,h_1968,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
People watch a giant screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City.
![Nuns watch from Vatican City as Pope Benedict XVI leaves the balcony of the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228140612-11-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_1280,h_720,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Nuns watch from Vatican City as Pope Benedict XVI leaves the balcony of the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
![The faithful gather for a last farewell to Pope Benedict XVI.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228140759-12-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_3600,h_2025,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
The faithful gather for a last farewell to Pope Benedict XVI.
![The helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI aboard flies past St. Peter's Square.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228111820-01-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_3600,h_2400,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
The helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI aboard flies past St. Peter's Square.
![People crowd the gallery on top of St. Peter's Basilica as a helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI passes by on its way out of Vatican City.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228112600-02-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_3000,h_1697,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
People crowd the gallery on top of St. Peter's Basilica as a helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI passes by on its way out of Vatican City.
![Pope Benedict XVI walks away from the window at Castel Gandolfo for the last time as head of the Catholic Church. He started his retirement February 28.](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/130228121120-04-pope-0228.jpg?q=w_2863,h_1610,x_0,y_0,c_fill/h_447)
Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day —
Pope Benedict XVI walks away from the window at Castel Gandolfo for the last time as head of the Catholic Church. He started his retirement February 28.