(MCT) — VATICAN CITY — The Swiss Guards vanished inside the palace to change out of their colorful garb, their responsibility to protect the pope over for the moment. The papal apartment in the Vatican was sealed. Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement had taken effect, propelling the Roman Catholic Church into a highly unusual and uncertain interregnum.

Benedict, the first pope to step down since the Middle Ages, met with senior prelates one last time earlier Thursday, urging them to unite and pledging to revere and obey the man chosen from their ranks to replace him.