"I am no longer the pope,' Benedict XVI says as he bids public farewell"

Benedict's historic resignation as pope takes effect at 8 p.m. (2 p.m. ET).
[link to www.cnn.com]

Pope Benedict XVI is the first pontiff in 600 years to resign, and his last day has finally arrived. Benedict is scheduled to leave the palace around 5:00 p.m. (11am EST) on Thursday for the last time as pontiff, and will fly to the papl retreat at Castel Gandolfo. He will officially resign at 8:00 p.m. (2pm EST) sharp, when the Swiss Guards will go off duty and the doors of the palace will close.
[link to www.policymic.com]

*PHASE ONE
The first phase begins with the formal resignation of Pope Benedict XVI at 2 p.m. EST February 28th. Typically, this period begins when a pope dies, but since Benedict is stepping down, he will leave the Vatican and stay at the pope’s summer home at Castel Gandolfo. He will not participate in the election of his successor.

*PHASE TWO
The College of Cardinals will meet on or about February 28 and an official date will be set for the conclave. This process usually begins 15 to 20 days after the death of a pope. But, since Benedict XVI resigned and there is no 9-day mourning period, the conclave could start as early as March 6 (six days after the resignation) or no later than March 18.

*PHASE THREE
This is the actual election of the pope, by the 117 cardinals under the age of 80 who are eligible to vote. The conclave will begin with a morning mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by a procession to the Sistine Chapel.

The Cardinals will take an oath to maintain secrecy and follow the apostolic constitution. They must remain behind closed doors until a new pope is elected.

Once the deliberations begin, they will need a two-thirds majority to elect a new pope.

Each time the cardinals vote, they burn their ballots. Black smoke indicates they haven’t reached a majority yet.

If a new pope has been chosen, the smoke will be white
[link to boston.cbslocal.com]