Wednesday, 27 February 2013

PHOTOS:'I am not coming down from the cross,' says Pope Benedict as tens of thousands attend his final audience at the Vatican

Tens of thousands of people jammed into St. Peter's Square today to bid Pope Benedict XVI a final farewell at his final general audience before he becomes the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.

During a poignant final audience speech he said he understood the gravity of his decision to become the first pope to resign in 600 years but said he had done it for the 'good of the Church'.

 He said he was not 'coming down from the cross' despite renouncing his office but would remain in the service of the church through prayer. He asked the faithful to pray for the cardinals and whoever they chose as his successor.

Farewell moment: Pope Benedict XVI waves to the huge crowd in St Peter's Square at his last general audience todayAcknowledgement: The Pope said he understood the gravity of his decision to become the first pontiff to resign in 700 years but he had done it for the 'good of the Church'The pope will become the first pontiff to resign in 600 years when he steps down tomorrow Pope final general audience
Pope Benedict XVI is driven through the crowd as he greets well wishers in St. Peter's Square. He made several rounds of the square, stopping to kiss children brought to him by his secretarySt. Peter's Square in the Vatican was rammed with tens of thousands of devout pilgrims wishing to see the pope one last time before he retires

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