"I knew here I could get the last blessing of a German pope, " Mr. Dieckmann said.

WSJ: Pope Bids Faithful Farewell In Emotional, Historic Exit

But in the meantime, it is no surprise that Mrs Dieckmann is all smiles.

ECONOMIST: Replenish your Rhenish

Christian Dieckmann, a taxi driver from Freiburg, Germany, had taken a last-minute flight to Rome for Benedict XVI's farewell.

WSJ: Pope Bids Faithful a Farewell In Emotional, Historic Exit