Pope Benedict XVI's Final Public Mass: Ash Wednesday 2013

With the shocking announcement this week of the Holy Father's nearly unprecedented resignation, Ash Wednesday officially marked the last public Mass for Pope Benedict XVI while holding the office of Vicar of Christ.

On the day of his inauguration, the Holy Father said: "Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves" (April 24, 2005). News reports indicate that the Holy Father is under pressure from external groups with rumors that the Italian Government is seeking his arrest.  A story published yesterday in The International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State (ITCCS) states:

"Pope Benedict, Joseph Ratzinger, has scheduled a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano for Saturday, February 23 to discuss securing protection and immunity from prosecution from the Italian government, according to Italian media sources. Ratzinger’s meeting follows upon the apparent receipt by the Vatican of a diplomatic note from an undisclosed European government on February 4, stating its intention to issue an arrest warrant for Ratzinger, who resigned from his pontificate less than a week later."

We must redouble our efforts to pray for the protection of our Holy Father and the Church.  Kyrie eleison!

Photo Sources: Associated Press (AP)