Pope Benedict XVI suggests 'he will retire into seclusion'

London, Feb 15 (ANI): Pope Benedict XVI has suggested that he will withdraw into seclusion after stepping down at the end of February.

He told a meeting of Roman priests that even 'if he withdraws into prayer he will always be close to others, even if he remains hidden to the world.'

Pope Benedict made his remarks at the Vatican in what amounted to a farewell address to hundreds of priests who serve in the Diocese of Rome, the BBC reports.

The pontiff, 85, shocked the world's biggest Christian Church on Monday when he announced his resignation.

He cited his advanced age as the reason for resigning.

According to the Vatican's semi-official newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, the Pope took the decision to resign after his trip to Mexico and Cuba in 2012. (ANI)

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