Benedict plans retreat to summer residence

Pope Benedict XVI will stay at the papal summer residence outside Rome when he officially steps down on Thursday before moving into a former nunnery within the Vatican walls, the Holy See has announced.

The first pontiff to retire in six centuries has said that he will move out of the papal apartments overlooking St Peter’s Square after he ceases to be Pope at 8pm on Thursday.

Immediately after his resignation, Benedict will spend time in the hills south of Rome where he has spent other summer vacations reading and writing.