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Article updated: 2/24/2013 10:59 AM

Pope gives final Sunday blessing before resigning

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In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday. 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.

Associated Press

Faithful hold up a banner with pictures of Pope Benedict XVI and writing reading in Italian "Thank you" as they attend Benedict's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday.

Associated Press

Faithful hold up banners and placards with writings as they attend Benedict's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday.

Associated Press

Faithful attend Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday. 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.

Associated Press

Nuns attend Pope Benedict XVI's last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday.

Associated Press

Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday. The 85-year-old Benedict XVI 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 vigorously lead the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.

Associated Press

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Pope Benedict XVI bestowed his final Sunday blessing of his pontificate on a cheering crowd in St. Peter's Square, explaining that his waning years and energy made him better suited to the life of private prayer he soon will spend in a secluded monastery than as leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
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    • In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday. 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.
    • Faithful hold up a banner with pictures of Pope Benedict XVI and writing reading in Italian “Thank you” as they attend Benedict’s last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Sunday.
    • Faithful hold up banners and placards with writings as they attend Benedict’s last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Sunday.
    • Faithful attend Pope Benedict XVI’s last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Sunday. 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.
    • Nuns attend Pope Benedict XVI’s last Angelus prayer, in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Sunday.
    • Pope Benedict XVI delivers his blessing during his last Angelus noon prayer, from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Sunday. The 85-year-old Benedict XVI 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 vigorously lead the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics.
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