Photos: Scenes from Pope Benedict XVI's last day

Published 1928 GMT (0328 HKT) February 28, 2013

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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. TONY GENTILE/reuters/LANDOV

A woman watches a screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City on February 28. STEFANO RELLANDINI/reuters/LANDOV

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the crowd from a balcony upon his arrival in Castel Gandolfo. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images

Nuns wait for Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Oli Scarff/Getty Images

A crowd packs Castel Gandolfo for Pope Benedict XVI's final appearance. MICHAEL KAPPELER/epa/LANDOV

A nun looks out from the Apostolic Palace in Castel Gandolfo. MICHAEL KAPPELER/DPA/LANDOV

People watch a giant screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from Vatican City. REUTERS /STEFANO RELLANDINI /LANDOV

Nuns watch from Vatican City as Pope Benedict XVI leaves the balcony of the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. GUIDO MONTANI/epa/LANDOV

The faithful gather for a last farewell to Pope Benedict XVI. VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images

The helicopter with Pope Benedict XVI aboard flies past St. Peter's Square. ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/Getty Images

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. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images

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. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images