Pope Emeritus Benedict says God told him to resign during 'mystical experience'

The former pope Benedict has claimed that his resignation in February was prompted by God, who told him to do it during a "mystical experience".

Breaking his silence for the first time since he became the first pope to step down in 600 years, the 86-year-old reportedly said: "God told me to" when asked what had pushed him to retire to a secluded residence in the Vatican gardens.

Benedict denied he had been visited by an apparition or had heard God's voice, but said he had undergone a "mystical experience" during which God had inspired in him an "absolute desire" to dedicate his life to prayer rather than push on as pope.

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Benedict XVI 'escapes' to Castel Gandolfo to pray to Our Lady, and listen to classical music

August 20, 2013.(Romereports.com) Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI traveled to Castel Gandolfo on Sunday, where he spent the afternoon strolling through the gardens of the villa where he spent the hot summer months in the past eight years.  

According to Italian news agency ANSA, Benedict XVI spent Sunday afternoon at Castel Gandolfo, joined by the 'memores domini,' the four consecrated women that have cared for him for several years. He used that time to pray the Rosary at the gardens, and even enjoyed a brief piano concert. The visit lasted approximately three hours, and then he returned to the Vatican.

Before the start of the summer, Pope Francis invited Benedict XVI to take refuge from the Roman heat at Castel Gandolfo, but the Pope emeritus declined, and opted instead to remain inside the Vatican.

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Benedict XVI wants to spend the summer at the Vatican

June 25, 2013. (Romereports.com) Benedict XVI is “relaxed. He has a good memory and his eyes are bright and cheerful.” These were the words of father Stephan Otto Horn, president of the Ratzinger Alumni Association who visited the Pope Emeritus early in June.

According to his former student, Benedict XVI wants to spend his summer at the Vatican. He also suggested that his successor, Pope Francis spend a few days at Castel Gandolfo, to bear the summer heat.  Pope Francis has offered Benedict XVI, full access to the Pope's summer residence in the town of Castel Gandolfo.

The Latin American Pope is scheduled to visit the town of Castel Gandolfo on July 14th, where he will lead the Angelus prayer. According to Stephan Horn, Benedict XVI thinks Pope Francis should celebrate the Feast of the Assumption on August 15th, where a Mass is traditionally celebrated in the nearby parish.

Benedict XVI has parted ways with public life and is not scheduled to take part in any of the usual reunions he had with his former students during the summer. Nor will the former Pope, be at the Ratzinger Prize ceremony later in October.

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Pope Francis welcomes Benedict XVI to the Vatican

May 2, 2013. (Romereports.com) It has been two months since Benedict XVI left the Vatican by helicopter. In the last few hours of his pontificate Pope Benedict XVI traveled to the summer residence of Castel Gandolfo. Now he comes back to the Vatican as Pope emeritus.  

As the Vatican got ready for the conclave, the remodeling of Benedict XVI's new residence was underway. From now on, he will live at the Mater Ecclesiae Monastery, located within Vatican territory.

Two months after he headed out to Castel Gandolfo, he comes back to the Vatican in a similar fashion, arriving by helicopter.

Upon his arrival, Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone was waiting for Benedict XVI, along with Angelo Sodano who serves as the Dean of the College of Cardinals. Also there was the president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello.

As Benedict XVI made his way to the former monastery, Pope Francis was there, ready to welcome him back to the Vatican. They both went to pray in the chapel.

According to the Vatican's press release, Benedict XVI will serve the Church through prayer. He will live with his personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein who will also serve as the prefect of the Papal Household. Four consecrated lay women from the Communion and Liberation movement will also live there to help out with every day chores.

More than likely, Benedict XVI will be visited by his 88 year old brother Georg Ratzinger, who is his only living relative.

The Mater Ecclesiae was used as a monastery for 19 years. Before that, employees of the Vatican Radio lived there, including the director. The living area is about 650 feet. The actual residence of Benedict XVI will be on the floor level, so he doesn't have to go up and down the stairs. The four story building has a small garden.

For now Pope Francis will continue to live in the so called Casa Santa Marta which is a Vatican guest house. So the first Latin American Pope and Benedict XVI will live just a few meters away from each other. Despite having a Pope and a Pope emeritus living in the Vatican, ironically, the Papal apartment, to this day, remains empty.

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Benedict XVI, My Venerable Predecessor

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Benedict XVI turns 86 years old, first birthday as Pope emeritus

April 15, 2013. (Romereports.com) One more candle on the birthday cake for Benedict XVI, and for the first time as Pope emeritus. He celebrates his 86th birthday in the intimacy of Castel Gandolfo. Eight years ago, on April 16, 2005, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger turned 78 just two days before the start of of the conclave where he was elected Pope.

During his pontificate, he celebrated seven birthdays with two concerts and Bavarian folk dances, but always working. In fact, in 2006, his first year as Pope, his birthday coincided with the Easter Sunday, where he asked for peace in Africa, Iraq, Israel and Palestine.

In 2007, Benedict XVI celebrated his 80 years at the tune of classical music. The Stuttgart Radio Symphonic Orchestra from Germany performed a concert for him at Paul VI Hall.

BENEDICT XVI
“At the end of this stupendous concert, which the Radio Symphonic Orchestra of Stuttgart gave us and elevated our spirits, I wish above all to greet all of you very cordially.”

One year later, in 2008 he packed his bags for the United States. In the morning of his birthday he met with President George W. Bush at the White House, and in the afternoon, with American bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

In 2009, Benedict XVI was able to celebrate with family. He was joined by his brother Georg, as both enjoyed a concert at the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo.

But no birthday celebration is complete without cake. In 2010, the Papal Foundation gave Benedict XVI this confection which read “Happy Birthday Holy Father.” Well-wishers also congratulated him during the individual greetings.

“God bless you, thank you and Happy Birthday.”

That moment was immortalized in this group photo.

Before traveling to the United Kingdom in September 2011, British Catholic bishops created a Facebook page and email where anyone could send well-wishes to the Pope for his 84th birthday.

His last celebration as Pope was in 2012, and it came with a German touch. Once again joined by his brother Georg, the two enjoyed traditional folk dances from his native Bavaria.

The young dancers congratulated the Pope individually. It was with this Bavarian delegation that Benedict XVI marked his 85th birthday, his last one as Pope.

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Pope Francis: The Holy Shroud bears the pain of all those who suffer

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Pope Francis sends well wishes to Benedict XVI for his saint's day

Vatican City, 20 March 2013 (VIS) – Yesterday afternoon, Pope Francis made a phone call to Pope emeritus Benedict XVI to express his well wishes on the Pope emeritus' saint's day—St. Joseph. Again he also declared his, and the Church's, gratitude for the Pope emeritus' service. It was a long and cordial call. The Pope emeritus has attentively followed the events of recent days, in particular the Mass of inauguration of the new pontiff's Petrine ministry, and he assured his successor of his continued closeness in prayer.

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