His personal archive of documents will be packed up and, at 20:00 (19:00 GMT) on Thursday, the Swiss Guard on duty at his Castel Gandolfo residence will be dismissed, to be replaced by Vatican police.

BBC: Pope Benedict XVI recalls joy and 'choppy waters'

And for many commuters making the journey to work during this morning's rush hour, seeing the National Guard on duty certainly seems to be boosting confidence.

BBC: California's bridges 'under threat'