Pope Benedict XVI Asks For Our Support

After his announcement on Monday, Pope Benedict made his first comments to the public on Wednesday morning. He was addressing a group of about 8000 tourists who had gathered in the audience hall for his weekly general meetings. It was good to see him looking physically fit and sound as he addressed the crowd, who urged him on as they applauded
to his speech.

He went on to tell them how the decision he has taken was for the good of the church and that he had taken a lot of time before making the decision to pray about it. Pope
Benedict also asked for prayers for both him and the church today and in the future. He went on to say that he is fully aware of the confusion that his resignation has caused but he still maintains that he was no longer able to lead the church both on a
spiritual and physical level.

He is grateful for all the support that he has been receiving from people all over the
world since Monday, saying that "he felt almost physically". Probably the last time we
will see him before February 28th which his last day as the leader of the church will
be later on today when he appears at St Peter's Basilica to preside over Ash Wednesday
proceedings.