Pope Benedict XVI leading a Mass at the Vatican, Oct. 11, 2012 (Catholic Church of England and Wales/Creative Commons).

“Thank you. Now, let’s return to prayer,” Benedict said after several minutes of applause that moved him and brought some priests and bishops to tears. 

In a rare gesture and sign of respect, the Associated Press reported, the rows of bishops removed their mitres. 

The Mass was moved from a venue in Rome to St. Peter’s to accommodate a larger crowd. Hundreds more attended outside.  

From Reuters:

The Vatican, meanwhile, announced that a conclave to elect his successor would start sometime between March 15 and March 20, in keeping with Church rules about the timing of such gatherings after the papal see becomes vacant.

Benedict, 85, will follow his resignation with time at a summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, in the hill south of Rome, the AP reported. Following his return, he will live a life of prayer with few public appearances in a converted monastery in the Vatican gardens.

Read more of Neon Tommy’s coverage on Pope Benedict here.

Reach Executive Producer Agnus Dei Farrant here.