VATICAN CITY Pope Benedict XVI gave his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people packing St. Peter's Square, but sought to reassure the faithful that he wasn't abandoning the church by retiring to spend his final years in prayer.
The 85-year-old Benedict is stepping down on Thursday evening, the first pope to do so in 600 years, after saying he no longer has the mental or physical strength to lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
But while he has lately looked tired and frail, the crowd filling the cobblestone square seemed to energize him, and he spoke in a clear, strong voice, repeatedly thanking the faithful for their closeness and affection as they interrupted him, again and again, with applause and cheers. Police estimated some 100,000 people turned out.
Benedict told the crowd that God is calling him to dedicate himself "even more to prayer and meditation," which he will do in a secluded monastery being renovated for him on the grounds behind Vatican City's ancient walls.
"But this doesn't mean abandoning the church," he said, as many in the crowd looked sad at his departure from regular view. `'On the contrary, if God asks me, this is because I can continue to serve it (the church) with the same dedication and the same love which I have tried to do so until now, but in a way more suitable to my age and to my strength."
The phrase "tried to" was the pope's adlibbed addition to his prepared text.
Benedict has one more public appearance, a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square.
Benedict smiled at the crowd after an aide parted the white curtain at his window, telling the people, "thank you for your affection."
Crowds gather to see Pope Benedict XVI deliver his last Angelus Blessing from the window of his private apartment to thousands of pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square on February 24, 2013, in Vatican City, Vatican.
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Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Heavy rain had been forecast for Rome, and some drizzle dampened the square earlier in the morning. But when Benedict appeared, to the peal of church bells as the clock struck noon, blue sky crept through the clouds.
"We thank God for the sun he has given us," the pope said, sounding cheerful.
As cheers continued in the crowd, the pontiff simply turned away from the window and stepped back down into apartment, which he will leave on Thursday, taking a helicopter to the Vatican summer residence in the hills outside Rome while he waits for the monastery to be ready.
A child in the crowd held up a sign on a yellow placard, written in Italian, "You are not alone, I'm with you." Other admirers held homemade signs, saying "Grazie."
No date has yet been set for the start of the conclave of cardinals, who will vote in secret to elect Benedict's successor.
One Italian in the crowd seemed to be doing a little campaigning, hoisting a sign which mentioned the name of two Italian cardinals considered by observers to be potential contenders in the selection of the next pontiff.
Flags in the crowd represented many nations, with a large number from Brazil.
The cardinals in the conclave will have to decide whether it's time to look outside of Europe for a pope.
On Saturday, the Vatican lashed out at the media for what it said has been a run of defamatory and false reports before the conclave to elect Pope Benedict XVI's successor, saying they were an attempt to influence the election.
Italian newspapers have been rife with unsourced reports in recent days about the contents of a secret dossier prepared for the pope by three cardinals who investigated the origins of the 2012 scandal over leaked Vatican documents.
The reports have suggested the revelations in the dossier, given to Benedict in December, were a factor in his decision to resign. The pope himself has said merely that he doesn't have the "strength of mind and body" to carry on.
CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey reports from Rome that lurid reports in the Italian press have spoken of a gay lobby of homosexual priests whose activities have not only gone against church teaching but have left them, and by extension the Vatican, open to blackmail.
The three cardinals who investigated the leaked documents are expected to meet with Benedict Monday, a sign of just how seriously he takes the issue, Pizzey reports. What's not clear is whether the dossier will be given to the rest of the cardinals before they enter the conclave or left in a safe for the next pope's consideration.
Arrest the Government of the USA, arrest everyone who has attended a Bildenberg Conference or a Skull and Bones meeting, arrest everyone in the USA who has attended a human sacrifice, a bonfire, a death hunt and a group rape, arrest Satanists for child sacrifice, arrest yourselves, but dont pretend that you actually CARE about what a few priests do, some of whom are infiltrators from gay groups. If you DID care so much, you wouldnt be kissing the feet of a lot of politicians the way you do, or visit so many extreme "clubs'. Catholic priests are not floating the multibillion dollar child porno industry and child sex slavery industry. The reason you haters hate religion so, is because it blocks you from pigging out on children more than you already do. Odd YOU don't feel guilty about child sex abuse although the secular institutions of the US, and other countries are full of it.
I attended a Catholic school and did not meet one pedophile, I met nuns with encycloepedic knowledge of their subjects, who contemplated the Divine, and who gave me a sense of respect for other people. I loved the quiet decency of Catholicism. I have not found such a feeling in secular American society, but instead a generalized distrust and dog eat dog competitiveness and animosity to the humanity of anyone except ones inner circle.
Arrest the Government of the USA, arrest everyone who has attended a Bildenberg Conference or a Skull and Bones meeting, arrest everyone in the USA who has attended a human sacrifice, a bonfire, a death hunt and a group rape, arrest Satanists for child sacrifice, arrest yourselves, but dont pretend that you actually CARE about what a few priests do, some of whom are infiltrators from gay groups. If you DID care so much, you wouldnt be kissing the feet of a lot of politicians the way you do, or visit so many extreme "clubs'. Catholic priests are not floating the multibillion dollar child porno industry and child sex slavery industry. The reason you haters hate religion so, is because it blocks you from pigging out on children more than you already do. Odd YOU don't feel guilty about child sex abuse although the secular institutions of the US, and other countries are full of it.
I attended a Catholic school and did not meet one pedophile, I met nuns with encycloepedic knowledge of their subjects, who contemplated the Divine, and who gave me a sense of respect for other people. I loved the quiet decency of Catholicism. I have not found such a feeling in secular American society, but instead a generalized distrust and dog eat dog competitiveness and animosity to the humanity of anyone except ones inner circle.
It was with great sadness that I learned of our beloved Holy Father's heroic and historic decision to retire from the Papacy. Pope Benedict XVI's first Encyclical "Deus Caritas Est" proclaimed his compassion and love for all mankind. His subsequent encyclicals were pleas for universal social and economic justice. His ecumenical outreach to other religions is second to none. Long before he ascended to the Papacy he was deemed to be the pre-eminent theologian of his time. Even atheists have acknowledged his intellectual acumen. History will show that he will be included in the pantheon of great Pontiffs. At some future date Pope Benedict XVI will probably be declared a Doctor of the Church. He has indeed labored well in the vineyard of the Lord.
Carol, Thank you for your reasoned defense of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. I have followed the work of this man since he was Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the CDF many years ago.
He has become a modern image of Christ to me in that he has taken all of the slurs, salacious comments and nasty criticisms that have been thrown at him with a grace that can only come from God.
You are absolutely right in your assessment that he will someday be declared a Doctor of the Church for his holy life and his phenomenal teaching work.
He has served Christ and the Church for 60 years and so may God bless him in his remaining years.
Lousy research on the part of newspersons everywhere...600 years ago Gregory of Avignon "resigned" during the time of two popes to avert a civil war...since the Italian Popes wrote the history books, Gregory wasn't a "legitimate" pope at all.
Shadows of the Pope peer into every crack and crevice, it even prowls toilets and bath houses exploring for sinners of the flesh. Without the Popes strict sexual standards, eroticism would contaminate every dark alley and bedroom.
What a wonderful idea ..... prayer and meditation secluded in a monastery. Maybe he should just do that and not quit. A secluded pope would be a distinct improvement in the world. Wonder how many alter boys are included in a pope's seclusion?
Viva more extensive investigations, and serious and relentless prosecution of The Catchurch's leaders, agents and popes, to bring justice, and hopefully putting an end to its cover-ups!
Viva Compensatory Damages to the progeny of The Catchurch's victims, who were murdered en masse, and had their properties, monies, gold, silver, and other of their resources plundered by priests, bishops, cardinals, popes, soldiers and other agents of the murderous, thieving, fraudulently-existing Catholic Church!
Viva confiscation and distribution of The CC's stolen, ill-begotten assets, monies, properties, gold, silver and other, by which that church became enriched and empowered!
Lousy research on the part of newspersons everywhere...600 years ago Gregory of Avignon "resigned" during the time of two popes to avert a civil war...since the Italian Popes wrote the history books, Gregory wasn't a "legisimate" pope at all.
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I attended a Catholic school and did not meet one pedophile, I met nuns with encycloepedic knowledge of their subjects, who contemplated the
Divine, and who gave me a sense of respect for other people. I loved the quiet decency of Catholicism. I have not found such a feeling in secular American society, but instead a generalized distrust and dog eat dog competitiveness and animosity to the humanity of anyone except ones inner circle.
I attended a Catholic school and did not meet one pedophile, I met nuns with encycloepedic knowledge of their subjects, who contemplated the
Divine, and who gave me a sense of respect for other people. I loved the quiet decency of Catholicism. I have not found such a feeling in secular American society, but instead a generalized distrust and dog eat dog competitiveness and animosity to the humanity of anyone except ones inner circle.
Thank you for your reasoned defense of our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. I have followed the work of this man since he was Cardinal Ratzinger, Prefect of the CDF many years ago.
He has become a modern image of Christ to me in that he has taken all of the slurs, salacious comments and nasty criticisms that have been thrown at him with a grace that can only come from God.
You are absolutely right in your assessment that he will someday be declared a Doctor of the Church for his holy life and his phenomenal teaching work.
He has served Christ and the Church for 60 years and so may God bless him in his remaining years.
God bless you as well.
And God bless the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church!
even prowls toilets and bath houses exploring for sinners of the flesh. Without
the Popes strict sexual standards, eroticism would contaminate every dark alley and bedroom.
Viva il Papa!
Viva more extensive investigations, and serious and relentless prosecution of The Catchurch's leaders, agents and popes, to bring justice, and hopefully putting an end to its cover-ups!
Viva Compensatory Damages to the progeny of The Catchurch's victims, who were murdered en masse, and had their properties, monies, gold, silver, and other of their resources plundered by priests, bishops, cardinals, popes, soldiers and other agents of the murderous, thieving, fraudulently-existing Catholic Church!
Viva confiscation and distribution of The CC's stolen, ill-begotten assets, monies, properties, gold, silver and other, by which that church became enriched and empowered!