The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority is installing an…
Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Benedict XVI arrives for his weekly general audience at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday Feb. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority is installing an…
Updated: Sunday, 24 Feb 2013, 12:20 PM EST
Published : Sunday, 24 Feb 2013, 12:19 PM EST
VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Benedict XVI has given his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.
Benedict says even though he's retiring on Thursday from the papacy, the first pope in 600 years to do so, he's `'not abandoning the church." Instead he says he'll serve the church with the same dedication he has till now, but will do so in a way `'more suitable to my age and my strength." Benedict, 85, will spend his last years in prayer, meditation and seclusion in a monastery on Vatican City's grounds.
He has one more public appearance, at his weekly audience on Wednesday in the square.
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