The helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI flies past St. Peter’s Basilica as it leaves the Vatican for Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Feb. 28. ÒI am a simple pilgrim who begins the last stage of his pilgrimage on this earth,Ó the pope said at the close of his papacy. (CNS photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters) (Feb. 28, 2013) See BENEDICT-FAREWELL Feb. 28, 2013.