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Benedict In The Background

Benedict In The Background
The Associated Press
In this Jan. 13, 2007 file picture, Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio during their meeting at the Vatican. On Wednesday, March 13, 2013, Bergoglio was elected pope, the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Pope Francis. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)
In this Jan. 13, 2007 file picture, Pope Benedict XVI shakes hands with archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio during their meeting at the Vatican. On Wednesday, March 13, 2013, Bergoglio was elected pope, the first ever from the Americas and the first from outside Europe in more than a millennium. He chose the name Pope Francis. (AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

The pope leads alone.

Benedict XVI's decision to be the first pontiff to step down in 600 years raised a host of questions about his role in the Church. But he made clear as he ended his leadership that there was no doubt who would be in charge, pledging obedience to the future pontiff.

The former pope's coat of arms was removed from a floral display in front of the Vatican's governor's palace and his fisherman's ring, an official part of the pope's regalia that features an image of St. Peter fishing from a boat, as well as the personal seals and stamps he used for official papers were destroyed.

Benedict has literally been kept out of sight. The emeritus pope has only been spotted once since retiring — in a photo snapped by a paparazzo hiding in a tree.

— Victor L. Simpson

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