Feb

2013

10:01am, EST

Step inside Pope Benedict's temporary new home

Alessandro Di Meo / EPA

The Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, Pope's summer residence, on the outskirts of Rome. Pope Benedict XVI will officially step down on Feb. 28. On the last day of his pontificate, the Pope is due to take a helicopter to Castel Gandolfo where he will stay during the conclave.

Alessandro Di Meo / EPA

Gardens at Castel Gandolfo

By Alastair Jamieson, Staff writer, NBC News

Pope Benedict will leave his residence inside the Vatican and travel by helicopter to his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, about 15 miles south-east of Rome at about 4.55 p.m. local time (10:55 a.m. ET) Thursday. His papacy will officially end at 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET).

After stepping down, the pope will keep his name, His Holiness Benedict XVI, but get a new official title, "Emeritus Pope." The Vatican on Tuesday said he would wear a simple white cassock and swap his traditional red shoes for a pair of brown leather loafers he was given on his trip to Leon in Mexico last year. Continue reading.

Editor's note: These pictures were taken on Feb. 20 and 21.

Gregorio Borgia / AP

A grotto

Alessandro Di Meo / EPA

The Chinese Room

Alessandro Di Meo / EPA

A light switch bears the Papal seal.

Alessandro Di Meo / EPA

Details of a chair inside the Chinese Room

Max Rossi / Reuters

A view of Castel Gandolfo lake is seen from inside the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo.

Franco Origlia / Getty Images

The Apostolic Palace and the Pontifical Villas of Castel Gandolfo on Lake Albano will be Pope Benedict XVI's residence during the next Conclave, in Rome, Italy.

When Pope Benedict XVI steps down, he will head to the sleepy town of Castel Gandolfo, used by popes as a quiet sanctuary for 400 years, where he will await the completion of construction on his new home. NBC's Savannah Guthrie reports.

Related content:

Slideshow: Pope Benedict XVI's departure

Gabriel Bouys / AFP - Getty Images

The pope delivers his final audience in St. Peter's Square as he prepares to stand down.

Launch slideshow

Feb

2012

1:03am, EST

Pope Benedict elevates 22 men, including one American, to Cardinal

Evandro Inetti / Zuma Press

Pope Benedict XVI leads the Concistory.

Pope Benedict, putting his mark on the Catholic Church's future, on Saturday inducted 22 men — including New York's Archbishop Timothy Dolan — into the exclusive club of cardinals who will one day elect one of their own to succeed him.

Dolan is already being touted by some Vatican experts as a possible future candidate to become the first American pope.

--Reported by msnbc.com news services

Follow @msnbc_pictures

Franco Origlia / Getty Images

Newly appointed cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, center, archbishop of New York, receives congratulations from other cardinals at the Saint Peter's Basilica on Feb. 18, in Vatican City, Vatican. The 84-year-old Pontiff installed 22 new cardinals during the ceremony, who will be responsible for choosing his successor.

Alberto Pizzoli / AFP - Getty Images

Newly-appointed cardinal Italian Giuseppe Versaldi shows his ring during the traditionnal courtesy visit after the consistory at the Vatican on Feb. 18.

Tony Gentile / Reuters

New Cardinal John Tong Hon of China, center, poses as he receives guests in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Feb. 18.

Alberto Pizzoli / AFP - Getty Images

Visitors queue on St Peter's square to take part in the traditionnal courtesy visit after the consistory at the Vatican on Feb. 18. Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday put his stamp of authority on the body that will elect his successor as he appointed 22 new cardinals at a time of roiling tensions in the Vatican administration.

Pier Paolo Cito / AP

Prelates walk in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican after meeting the newly appointed cardinals elevated by Pope Benedict XVI, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012.

Pope Benedict XVI elevates 22 Catholic churchmen to cardinals, including New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Edwin O' Brien, former archbishop of Baltimore. NBC's Lester Holt reports.

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his Christmas Day message from St. Peter’s Basilica

Pope Benedict XVI delivers the Christmas Day message from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on Sunday. In his traditional message, Pope Benedict XVI urged the faithful to seek a "spiritual union" with the less fortunate around the world, including Africa and Asia, where people are suffering from the effects of wars and natural disasters.