VATICAN

VATICANFebruary 27, 2013 March 13, 2013source : www.boston.com , www.reuters.com

pps : chieuquetoi , bachkien

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Pope Benedict XVI's last general audiencePope Benedict XVI appeared at his final weekly general audience today at St. Peters Square in front of an estimated 150,000 people recalling moments of "joy and light as well as difficulty during his eight years as pontiff. Benedict, 85, said he decided to retire after realizing he didnt have the "strength of mind or body" to carry on. Benedict meets tomorrow with cardinals for a final time before traveling to his retirement residence at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome. --Lloyd Young(25 photos total)Click to continue

February 27 , 2013Click to continue

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he passes thousands of pilgrims and well wishers in St. Peter's Square after holding his final weekly general audience of his tenure today. (Michael Kappeler/European Pressphoto Agency)Click to continue

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square for his final general audience on Feb. 27. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)#Click to continue

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful after arriving in St Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Max RossiClick to continue

Pope Benedict XVI waves from his pope-mobile as he rides through a packed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican during his last general audience. The weekly event which would normally be held in a vast auditorium in winter, but has been moved outdoors to St. Peter's Square so more people can attend. (Stefano Rellandini/Reuters)

Pope Benedict XVI blesses a baby as he rides around St Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

The weekly event which would normally be held in a vast auditorium in winter, but has been moved outdoors to St. Peter's Square so more people can attend.Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he arrives in St Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiFourth graders at the Boston Archdiocesan Choir School watch news footage of Pope Benedict XVI during class in Cambridge, Massachusetts February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Jessica RinaldiPope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he arrives in St Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

A pilgrim shows her emotions as she attends Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience in St. Peter's Square before his retirement on Feb. 27 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff held his last weekly public audience today before stepping down tomorrow. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)#Click to continue

Pilgrims hold a banner as they attend Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience in St Peter's Square. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)#

St. Peter's Square, Vatican City packed with tens of thousands of pilgrims and well wishers as they attend Pope Benedict's final weekly general audience of his tenure at St. Peter's Square. (Allesandro Di Meo/European Pressphoto Agency)#

A Swiss guard stands in front of the Vatican as Pope Benedict XVI delivers his final general audience in St Peter's Square before his retirement. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)#

Pope Benedict XVI arrives on St. Peter's square for his last weekly audience today at the Vatican on the eve of his historic resignation as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (AFP/Getty Images)#

Faithful gather during Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican today. Benedict XVI basked in an emotional sendoff Wednesday at his final general audience in St. Peter's Square, recalling moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty. He also thanked his flock for respecting his decision to retire. (Oded Balilty/Associated Press)#

Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (right) greets other Cardinals as he arrives on St Peter's Square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's last weekly audience on Feb. 27. (AFP/Getty Images)#

Faithful gather for Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square. (Oded Balilty/Associated Press)#

A faithful looks at St. Peter's basilica through binoculars on St Peter's Square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's last weekly audience. (AFP/Getty Images)#

Pope Benedict XVI is seen at right as he arrives on his pope-mobile to his last general audience in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican on Feb. 27. (Dmitry Lovetsky/Associated Press)#

Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithful during his final general audience in St.Peter's Square at the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI has recalled moments of "joy and light" during his papacy but also times of great difficulty in an emotional, final general audience. (Gregorio Borgia/Associated Press)#

Nuns wait in the crowd for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square. (Carsten Koall/Getty Images)#

A poster showing Pope Benedict XVI's portrait hangs in front of St. Anthony of Padua Church reading "Thank you holy father" on Feb. 27. (AFP/Getty Images)#

Faithful gather for Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square. (Oded Balilty/Associated Press)#

The sun lights up the head of the Saint Peter Statue at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, on a momentous day that saw the final weekly Wednesday general audience of Pope Benedict XVI before his resignation on Feb. 28. (Claudio Peri/European Pressphoto Agency)#

A sign reading "Thank you" in Italian is held in St Peter's Square as Pope Benedict XVI holds his last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

A Swiss Guard stands in St. Peter's Square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience before his retirement. (Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images)#

A pilgrim prays as he attends Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience in St Peter's Square. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)#

A nun is drawn to a window in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City by the noise generated by the growing thousands of pilgrims and well-wishers waiting for Pope Benedict XVI's final weekly Wednesday general audience. (Ettore Ferrari/European Pressphoto Agency)#

Pope Benedict XVI touches a child as he arrives in St. Peter's Square for his final general audience on Feb. 27. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)#

A view of a packed St. Peter's Square where Pope Benedict XVI held his last general audience at the Vatican on Feb. 27. (Max Rossi/Reuters)#

The crowd listens to Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter's Square during his last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square during his final general audience on Feb. 27. (Franco Origlia/Getty Images)#

Pope Benedict XVI leaves the altar at the end of his last weekly audience on Feb. 27, at St. Peter's square at the Vatican on the eve of his historic resignation as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. (Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)#

Pope Benedict XVI waves from his Popemobile as he rides through a packed Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican during his last general audience, February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Tony GentileGerman Cardinal Reinhard Marx poses for a photograph in a packed Saint Peter's Square where Pope Benedict XVI holds his last general audience, at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiPriests hold a Mexican flag in St Peter's Square before Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Pope Benedict XVI waves in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican during his last general audience, February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the crowd at the end of his last general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiCardinal Antonio Rouco Varela (3rd L) reacts while attending the last general audience of Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter's Square at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/ Alessandro BianchiPope Benedict XVI greets the crowd during last general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican February 27, 2013.Pope Benedict XVI leaves after his last general audience in St Peter's Square at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he appears for the last time at the balcony of his summer residence in Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore RomanoPope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Tony GentileThe flag reads, "Long live the Pope, we welcome you among us". REUTERS/Max RossiPope Benedict XVI speaks to the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo February 28, 2013.

Pope Benedict XVI arrives to appear for the last time at the balcony of his summer residence in Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore RomanoPope Benedict XVI (top L) speaks to the faithful for the last time from the balcony of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo February 28, 2013.People react near a giant screen showing the departure of Pope Benedict XVI from the Vatican City, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano RellandiniPope Benedict XVI leaves after he appears for the last time at the balcony of his summer residence in Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

A helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI takes off from inside the Vatican on its way to the papal summer residence at Castelgandolfo, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiPeople in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican City watch a giant screen of the helicopter waiting to carry Pope Benedict XVI to the papal summer residence at Castelgandolfo, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano RellandiniPope Benedict XVI arrives by helicopter at the papal summer residence at Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore RomanoPope Benedict XVI addresses during the last meeting with the Cardinals at the Vatican, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

Pope Benedict XVI addresses during the last meeting with the Cardinals at the Vatican, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

Pope Benedict XVI (2nd R) leaves the Vatican February 28, 2013, on his way to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, in this picture provided by Osservatore Romano. REUTERS/Osservatore RomanoPope Benedict XVI (R) embraces Cardinal Angelo Sodano as he leaves the Vatican February 28, 2013, on his way to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, in this picture provided by Osservatore Romano. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

A woman waits in St Peter's Square before Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience at the Vatican February 27, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

A priest holds a placard as he looks at the helicopter carrying Pope Benedict XVI fly off from the Vatican on its way to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Yara Nardi

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he appears for the last time at the balcony of his summer residence in Castelgandolfo, south of Rome, February 28, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Chamberlain Cardinal Angelo Comastri of Italy elevates the host during prayer at Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican March 6, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Lighting, illuminating Saint Peter's Square, is seen near the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 9, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Workers put up a red curtain on the central balcony, called the Loggia of the Blessings of Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 11, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Members of the fire and rescue service set a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel before the conclave at the Vatican March 9, 2013, in a picture released by Osservatore Romano March 11, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore RomanoMembers of the fire and rescue service set a chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican March 9, 2013. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

A nun sits at a colonnade in St Peter's Square at the Vatican March 11, 2013. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

The chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel is seen from the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 11, 2013. REUTERS/Eric GaillardFaithful and nuns react as black smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating that no decision has been made after the first day of voting for the election of a new pope, in the Vatican City, March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Eric GaillardPeople in Saint Peter's Square watch a live television screen showing cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict, at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Dylan MartinezPeople in Saint Peter's Square shelter from rain as they watch a live television screen showing cardinals entering the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict, at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

People in Saint Peter's Square watch a live television screen showing black smoke rising from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating that no decision has been made after the first day of voting for the election of a new pope, in the Vatican City, March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

A man dressed as a monk kneels in Saint Peter's Square as the conclave begins in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict, at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Roman Catholic nuns pray during a mass at Sao Paulo Cathedral, Brazil March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

Faithful wait during the conclave in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

People in Saint Peter's Square watch a live television screen showing black smoke rising from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating that no decision has been made after the first day of voting for the election of a new pope, in the Vatican City, March 12, 2013.

A faithful offers a religious leaflet depicting the Christ at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Eric GaillardCardinals attend a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano RellandiniCardinal Angelo Sodano leads mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano RellandiniCardinal Angelo Sodano leads a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

Shut off from the outside world, the 115 cardinals will cast their ballots in a chapel which has Michelangelo's soaring Last Judgment on one wall, and his depiction of the hand of God giving life to Adam above them. REUTERS/Vatican CTV via Reuters TvCardinals enter the door of the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict, in a still image taken from video at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Vatican CTV via Reuters TvCardinals enter the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict, in a still image taken from video at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Vatican CTV via Reuters TvCardinal Peter Turkson (C) of Ghana attends a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

Cardinals sit in the Sistine Chapel to begin the conclave in order to elect a successor to Pope Benedict at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore RomanoA Swiss Guard is seen during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano RellandiniUrns where votes will be placed by Roman Catholic cardinals jn a conclave entrusted with the task of choosing a successor to Pope Benedict are seen at the Sistine Chapel, in a picture released by Osservatore Romano at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore RomanoCardinals Odilo Scherer of Brazil leaves after a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

Cardinals attend a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

Cardinals attend a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

March 13 ,2013

White smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

White smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, indicating a new pope has been elected, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Faithful cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs

Faithful wave Argentina's flag after white smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Giampiero Sposito

:Faithful react as white smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Faithful from Argentina cheer as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs

Florencia Silva (R), of Trumbell, Connecticut, and Valentina Bruner (L), of Peru, share a webcast of newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina at St. Patrick's Catherdral in New York, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Faithful cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Faithful on St.Peter's Square cheer after white smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Faithful cheer as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Faithful shelter from rain while waiting for smoke to rise from a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel during the second day of voting for the election of a new pope, at the Vatican March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Faithful hold umbrellas in Saint Peter's Square in front of a statue of Saint Peter while waiting for smoke to rise from a chimney on top of the Sistine Chapel during the second day of voting for the election of a new pope, at the Vatican March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Faithful react as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Roman Catholics celebrate the election of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as the new Pope Francis, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Enrique Marcarian

Cardinals are seen on a balcony as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini

Cardinals are seen on a balcony as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney and the bells of St. Peter's Basilica rang out on Wednesday, signaling that Roman Catholic cardinals had elected a pope to succeed Benedict XVI.REUTERS/Max Rossi

Faithful gather as they wait for the newly elected pope, to appear on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Faithful cheer as white smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Kevin Coombs

Faithful react as newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Faithful on St.Peter's Square cheer after white smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating a new pope has been elected at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Roman Catholics celebrate the election of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio as the new Pope, at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, March 13, 2013. Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, delivered his first blessing to a huge crowd in St Peter's Square on Wednesday night, asking for the prayers of "all men and women of good will" to help him lead the Catholic Church.REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

People pray after learning of the newly elected Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, California, March 13, 2013. Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the troubled Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday, the first non-European pontiff in nearly 1,300 years, and said he would take the name Francis I.REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Newly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina, appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Newly elected Pope Francis (2nd L) appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Newly elected Pope Francis appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiNewly elected Pope Francis appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro BianchiNewly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Stefano RellandiniNewly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano

Newly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Dylan MartinezNewly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, March 13, 2013.REUTERS/Osservatore RomanoNewly elected Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi

Newly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Pope Francis I Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentinapps : chieuquetoi , bachkienTHE END