Today Pope Benedict XVI had his final public appearance as pope. He was driven around St Peter's Square in the pope vehicle. He waved to the crowd gathered in the square to experience this once in a lifetime event. It is estimated over 150,000 people were present to witness the holy father's last public general audience.
Traditionally general audiences occur every Wednesday as the pope teaches the faithful and tourists about the faith of Catholics. Normally because it is winter time, this would have been held indoors. However, like the last one this one had to moved outdoors to allow more people to be able to attend. Dignitaries from various countries attended this one, Slovakia and San Marino even had its leaders in attendance.
Pope Benedict took he time to thank everyone around the world for accepting his very difficult decision to be the first pope in 600 years to abdicate. He acknowledged that he is fully aware of the gravity of his decision. Although it is one that was made after a lot of prayer.
He also talked about the day he was appointed Pope in April of 2005. On that day he had asked God in prayer, if this was his will. He recalled his very words as saying "It's a great burden that you've placed on my shoulders,'".
Reflecting on his eight years of service to the church he went on to say "I have had moments of joy and light, but also moments that haven't been easy … moments of turbulent seas and rough winds." He ended his speech as he did with the last asking us all to continue to pray for the church and the new pope, as he will also be doing.
The official time for the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI is 7 PM Italian time on Thursday 28th Of February.
Pope Benedict took he time to thank everyone around the world for accepting his very difficult decision to be the first pope in 600 years to abdicate. He acknowledged that he is fully aware of the gravity of his decision. Although it is one that was made after a lot of prayer.
He also talked about the day he was appointed Pope in April of 2005. On that day he had asked God in prayer, if this was his will. He recalled his very words as saying "It's a great burden that you've placed on my shoulders,'".
Reflecting on his eight years of service to the church he went on to say "I have had moments of joy and light, but also moments that haven't been easy … moments of turbulent seas and rough winds." He ended his speech as he did with the last asking us all to continue to pray for the church and the new pope, as he will also be doing.
The official time for the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI is 7 PM Italian time on Thursday 28th Of February.
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