Catholic School students from around the city filed into the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, for a noon Mass to mark the final hours of the Papacy of Benedict XVI. The kids were clearly enjoying the attention of the news crews and numerous photographers recording their entrance into the Cathedral. This marks the first time since 1294 when Celestine V abdicated the papacy that the Church has entered a period of Sede Vacante following the resignation of the Pope. News reports that this is the first resignation in 600 years are grossly inaccurate. While it's true that Gregory XII resigned in 1417, his resignation did not result in a vacancy. Gregory reigned during the Western Schism when there were actually three men all claiming to be Pope. Gregory resigned to end the Civil War within the Church.
Benedict XVI becomes the 8th Pope in history to resign, although four of his predecessors were actually either deposed, removed involuntarily, or executed. Only Benedict XVI, Celestine V, and John XVIII (in 1009) truly resigned of their own free will.
Watching Pope Benedict XVI leave the Vatican by helicopter this afternoon, my memory was jarred back to August 9, 1974. I could not shake the image of President Nixon, having become the first person ever to resign the Presidency, boarding Marine One for his final departure from the White House. I was struck by the similarities between these two events. Like Nixon, Benedict's tenure was shortened by resignation. Both presided over scandal, and both left their station to an uncertain future. It would not have surprised me at all had Benedict turned to wave and give a Victory Salute when boarding the helicopter.
Post processing today started with a brilliant cold filter in Topaz Adjust. I wanted the yellow and white Papal banner to stand out against the brownstone Cathedral, and thus opted to leave this photo in color. I adjusted adaptive exposure, regions, contrast, details, and adaptive saturation. A slight levels adjustment was added in PSE.
