The Swiss Guards are marching in step inside the San Damaso courtyard inside the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, preparing Pope Benedict XVI's sendoff. Members of the Vatican bureaucracy, or Curia, have poured into the courtyard to witness the historic moment of Benedict's final departure from the Vatican as pope. He will travel by car to the Vatican's helipad at the top of the hill in the Vatican gardens, and then will fly by helicopter to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. — Nicole Winfield — Twitter http://twitter.com/nwinfield ___ "Pope Live" follows the events of the final day of Pope Benedict XVI's papacy as seen by journalists from The Associated Press around the world. It will be updated throughout the day with breaking news and other items of interest. Follow AP reporters on Twitter where available. |