Pope Benedict XVI turns away after making his final public appearance as pope in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Feb. 28. The pope blessed the people gathered in the town square after he arrived via helicopter from the Vatican. « I am a simple pilgrim who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth, » he told the crowd. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) (Feb. 28, 2013) See BENEDICT-CASTELGANDOLFO Feb. 28, 2013.