Pope speaks in emotional farewell
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E-mail CRI, February 28, 2013
Pope Benedict the 16th has held his final audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican.
Surrounded by a cheering crowd of tens of thousands, Benedict has been driven through Saint Peter's square in the popemobile before taking to the stage for his final official address as Pope.
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Pope Benedict XVI kisses a baby at his final audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on February 27, 2013. [Photo: CFP] |
Benedict is set to become the first Pope in some 600 years to resign.
He's urged the faithful to pray for his successor.
"Loving the church also means to have the courage to make difficult, and arduous choices, having always in front of us the good of the church and not ourselves."
Benedict has also told the crowd there is no room for privacy in the papacy.
Many of the Cardinals who will choose Benedict's successor were in Saint Peter's Square for his final audience.
Benedict is due to officially step down later on this Thursday.
The College of Cardinals, which is a group of Catholic leaders from around the world, will begin meeting on Monday to decide on a date for the conclave to elect the next pope.
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