VATICAN CITY, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Benedict XVI left the Vatican for the last time as pope Thursday, traveling by motorcade to a helipad at the train station. To the sound of bells, the retiring pope was flown by a white Italian air force helicopter to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, about 15 miles southeast of Rome, where his retirement was scheduled to take place officially Thursday evening. The helicopter landed at the summer residence at dusk, also to the sound of bells. When he officially resigns, his Swiss Guard is scheduled to leave for the Vatican, their place at Benedict's side taken by regular Vatican police. In his final day as pope, Benedict XVI Thursday told the cardinals charged with electing his successor he will be praying for them during the conclave. "I will be close to you in prayer," he told them, referring to the conclave to select a new pope, expected to begin much earlier than its original date in mid-March. Both will be residing in the Vatican, but Benedict will be away from the papal apartment in a restored convent on the Vatican grounds, officials said..