This was perhaps the most highly anticipated and yet unwanted week for the Vatican. On Thursday Pope Benedict’s resignation officially took effect. The days leading up to the unprecedented event were full of papal “lasts”: his last angelus, the last general audience, and his last meeting with the college of cardinals. This week’s edition of Vatican Connections walks you through those moments. Salt + Light’s Sebastian Gomes is in Rome and we spoke to him on the last day of Pope Benedict’s pontificate about the events unfolding in Rome and the atmosphere around St. Peter’s Basilica. We’ll also give you reaction from the various Cardinals already in Rome for the pre-conclave meetings and the faithful who filled the piazza for this week’s events. --- cover image courtesy of CNS