
Benedict XVI’s reign as pope

Pope Benedict XVI led a Mass at the Saint Peter Basilica in Vatican City on Feb. 2.
CLAUDIO PERI/EPA
| February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI left after attending a meeting of Vatican cardinals where he announced his resignation.
L'Osservatore Romano/AP
| February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI, sitting on the throne (center right), met with Vatican cardinals on Monday.
L'Osservatore Romano/AP
| February 11, 2013

The pope delivered the Urbi and Orbi message after the Easter Holy Mass at St. Peter's Square in 2011.
AFP / Getty Images
| February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI visited Yankee Stadium in 2008 during a US visit. He also prayed at Ground Zero and met with Boston abuse victims.
Getty Images
| February 11, 2013

The new pope greeted the crowd after his installation Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 24, 2005.
Getty Images
| February 11, 2013

Benedict met with President Obama and his wife, Michelle, in 2009.
File photo
| February 11, 2013

Archbishop Sean O'Malley, head of the Boston Archdiocese, was made a cardinal in 2006.
David L. Ryan / Globe Staff
| February 11, 2013

Benedict prayed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem in 2009 during a tour of the Middle East.
| February 11, 2013

Benedict traveled far as pope, including this voyage to Mexico, where he donned a sombrero.
AP
| February 11, 2013