Vatican City, Feb 11, 2013 / 10:55 am
After Pope Benedict XVI retires at the end of February he will dedicate himself to a life of prayer and study in a Vatican-based monastery.
The Pope, who announced today he will step down on Feb. 28, will first stay in Castel Gandolfo before eventually going back to the Vatican to live in Mater Ecclesiae monastery.
The monastery is currently being renovated, but it is normally inhabited by a group of nuns who pray for the ministry of the Pope, a mission Pope John Paul II gave to them.
"He will be dedicating himself to prayer and reflection," said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, during an unexpected Feb. 11 media event at the Holy See press office.