Benedict XVI will be 'pope emeritus'

VATICAN CITY, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- After he steps down, Pope Benedict XVI will be referred to as pope emeritus or Roman pontiff emeritus, the Vatican announced Tuesday.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the 85-year-old German-born pontiff will continue to be addressed as "Your Holiness" following his resignation Thursday, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.

Lombardi confirmed Benedict's ring of office as pope will be destroyed following Vatican tradition.

He said Benedict XVI would continue to wear the simple, white papal cassock and use shoes given to him by Mexican cobblers during a visit last year.

"The pope really liked the gift of the shoes made for him by the artisans of Leon, Mexico, and he will continue to use them," Lombardi said.

He said Pope Benedict's personal notes will remain with him but documents regarding the government of the Catholic Church "will go to the competent archives."