Pope No More

(Photo : Associated Press) Pope Benedict XVI shocked Roman Catholics around the world be announcing his retirement.

Pope Benedict XVI officially resigned office at 2pm eastern time today. Benedict's resignation leaves the Roman Catholic Church without leadership until clerics elect a candidate to succeed him. Vatican leaders hope to have a new pope in place by Easter.

Benedict's time as pope will be mostly remembered for the numerous scandals the church faced and his inability to move the church forward into the modern era. His supporters will remember him as a staunch proponent of traditional church doctrine who attempted to unite the splintered Catholic Church.

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He left the Vatican via helicopter earlier today to start his retirement at a summer retreat used by popes for centuries.

The crowd outside St. Peter's Square cheered as Benedict made his final exit from the Vatican. Church bells rang as people stood on rooftops waving flags and scarves as the helicopter carrying Benedict flew overhead en route to Castel Gandolfo, the hilltop town where the summer retreat is located.

Upon arrival at Castel Gandolfo, Benedict addressed the crowd that had gathered to greet him.

"Dear friends, I am happy to be with you! Thanks for your friendship and affection! You know this is a different day than most."