POPE BENEDICT XVI LAST GENERAL AUDIENCE

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Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience

Pope Benedict XVI appeared at his final weekly general audience today at St. Peter’s 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 didn’t 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)

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.

Pilgrims hold a banner as they attend Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience in St Peter's Square.

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.

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.

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.



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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.

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.

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.

Faithful gather for Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square.​

 

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A faithful looks at St. Peter's basilica through binoculars on St Peter's Square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's last weekly audience.

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.

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.

Nuns wait in the crowd for the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square.

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.​

 

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Faithful gather for Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful as he arrives in St. Peter's Square for his final general audience on Feb. 27.

A Swiss Guard stands in St. Peter's Square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience before his retirement.

Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful gathered in St. Peter's Square during his final general audience on Feb. 27.

 

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Pope Benedict XVI touches a child as he arrives in St. Peter's Square for his final general audience on Feb. 27.

A view of a packed St. Peter's Square where Pope Benedict XVI held his last general audience at the Vatican on Feb. 27.

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.​

 

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[dushan90]

Patta machan. Thanks for sharing.

 

[rochel1977]

Lassana pics tika machan. thanks for the share

 

[cresendo]

Thanks for sharing machan..
Nice Photos..

 

[assen_bna]

Thanks for sharing macho.... A good one...