Article on Pope's comments this morning...http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21458783
"Even if I am withdrawing into prayer, I will always be close to all of you... even if I remain hidden to the world," he told a meeting of Roman priests.
His schedule
- 17-23 February - Lenten retreat, most normal Vatican functions suspended
- 24 February - Pope recites Angelus for the last time
- 27 February - Last weekly audience, in St Peter's Square
- Evening of 28 February - Pope leaves office
- From 15 March - Conclave to elect new Pope
Next week the Pope will carry out no public engagements after which he will hold one more public audience on 27 February, in St Peter's Square.
On 28 February he will fly off to the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo, where he will stay while Church leaders go through the complicated ritual of choosing a successor.