Photos from historic day

Without a pope, the church is said to be "Sede vacante," (the See of Rome is vacant.)

Watching the end of the papacy, Aux. Bishop Luis R. Zarama, Kieran Quinn,
and Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory

Salute at the end of the papacy. (Screen shot)

Andrew's screens

#ThanksPontifex

So Thursday there's going to be a Twitter event giving thanks for Pope Benedict at #thankspontifex
— Fr. Kevin Peek (@FrKevinPeek) February 26, 2013

And the thanks flowed.

#ThanksPontifex for embodying the spirit of your theology on Church Doctor Thérèse of Lisieux, who put herself "in sinners' shoes."
— Janelle Peters (@JanellePeters) February 28, 2013

We love you! #ThanksPontifex You will be sorely missed..
— cassandrahollis (@cassandrahollis) February 28, 2013

What an honor to be living in this time. #pope #thankspontifex #sedevacante
— Lisa Wheeler (@AMDG) February 28, 2013

You will always be in my prayers & we will be in yours..You stay in our hearts forever. GBU #Thankspontifex
— Blanca-PR (@bgm55) February 28, 2013

@pontifex #ThanksPontifex for showing us that God is love - and how much he loves us!
— Kerrie Rivard (@kerrierivard) February 27, 2013

I'm just extremely grateful for all you have done for our Church. Thank you for your beautiful witness of Christ's Love! #ThanksPontifex
— Ellen Custers (@LT_EllenC) February 27, 2013

@pontifex Prayerful gratitude, Holy Father, for all you have done - and for your prayers. Numbers 6: 24-26. #ThanksPontifex
— Tim Lilley (@Timonbass) February 28, 2013

"I have a mustard seed and I'm not afraid to use it" B16 #ThanksPontifex
— Just Candace (@ATLCatholic) February 27, 2013

True humility enlarges the soul, and makes it fit to serve God better! #thankspontifex
— Fr. Kevin Peek (@FrKevinPeek) February 28, 2013

"Through the Church the mys­tery of the Incar­na­tion remains present for­ev­er." B16 #ThanksPontifex
— Joe C (@LT_JoeC) February 28, 2013

With the hour quickly approaching, I can already feel sede vacante in my soul. God Bless Pope Benedict XVI. #ThanksPontifex
— Catholic Drinkie (@CatholicDrinkie) February 28, 2013

A timeline of papal deaths, followed by election of successor

Catholic News Service reported how the popes since the 1960s have been elected and installed within a short period of time after the deaths of their predecessors. Source: The Catholic Sun

Papal Transition on RebelMouse, via Twitter

How to elect a pope

An Italian newspaper designed an informative interactive graphic on how the cardinals will gather to elect the next pope.

Click here to see it. 

--Andrew

Photo: Creative Commons License

Video: Pope departs after last public Mass

To shouts of "Viva Papa" and loud, sustained applause, Pope Benedict blessed the crowds as the final public Mass concluded. 

Bishop-designate David Talley on the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI

“In my lifetime, I have seen three extraordinary events that are truly 'historical' in the life of the Church: the first event was seen between 1962 and 1965, when second Ecumenical Council was held at the Vatican (Vatican II); the second event was the election of the first non-Italian pope in centuries, as the young Cardinal from Poland became Pope John Paul II; and the third, the announcement that resignation and not death would end the Pontificate of Benedict XVI.

The first two events mentioned have shaped how most Catholics today understand the mission of Christ’s Church. As to the recent announcement: We are still in the wake of the Holy Father’s announcement of resignation, and so must wait and see how the Lord will use this act of fidelity for the spiritual health of of the Church.

The Good News of the Lord Jesus is proclaimed in and through the Church….and that reality is at the heart of all we do and say.”

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Bishop-designate David Talley will be ordained as the second auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Atlanta on Tuesday, April 2, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Atlanta.