Pope Benedict XVI Holds His Final General Audience Before His Retirement
Pope Benedict XVI (Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images)
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – FEBRUARY 27: Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Squareduring his final general audience on February 27, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff attended his last weekly public audience before stepping down tomorrow. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements. (Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty Images)