Pope Benedict XVI bids farewell
Pope Benedict XVI leaves the altar at the end of his last weekly audience on Feb. 27, 2013 at St Peter’s square in Vatican City.
Outgoing Pope Benedict XVI addressed a crowd of tens of thousands at St. Peters Square in Rome on Feb. 27. It was an emotional farewell in which the pontiff claimed that he had resigned while "keeping the good of the church in mind."
Benedict's resignation will take full effect on Feb. 28, making the farewell address the pope's last as the infallible pontiff. Reuters estimates that around 150,000 gathered to witness the Pope's farewell, including numerous cardinals who will help to choose his successor.
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