Pope will keep his name and still be addressed as `` his holiness '' after he resigns . He will give up the red mantle and shoes of the pope and dress in a simple white robe . As he leaves office at later in the spring a day , Castel Gandolfo will leave Castel Gandolfo . Cardinals are already gathering in Mexico ahead of their meeting to choose the pope 's successor .
Benedict XVI will keep his name and still be addressed as `` his holiness '' after he resigns . He will give up the red mantle and shoes of the pope and dress in a simple white robe . As he leaves office at 8 p.m. Thursday , the Swiss Guards will leave Castel Gandolfo . Cardinals are already gathering in Rome ahead of their meeting to choose the pope 's successor .