VATICAN CITY (CNS): At his first public appearance since he announced
he would resign at the end of February, Pope Benedict XVI thanked the
faithful for their love and prayers and asked them to pray for his
successor.
"I have felt, almost physically in these days - which haven't been
easy for me - the strength that prayers, love for the Church and prayers
for me bring me," the Pope told about 7000 people at his weekly public
audience on February 13.
Coming two days after he made the announcement in Latin to a room
full of cardinals, the Pope's Ash Wednesday audience gave him the chance
to explain his historic decision to his global flock, and to get taste
of their reactions.
"As you know, I have decided ..." he said, before the capacity crowd
in the Vatican audience hall broke out in prolonged applause, bringing a
smile to the 85-year-old pope's face.
Pope Benedict explained he had made his decision "in full freedom,
for the good of the Church, after having prayed for a long time and
having examined my conscience before God, well aware of the seriousness
of that act, but also aware of no longer being capable of fulfilling the
Petrine ministry with the strength that it requires".
The Pope appeared tired but smiled frequently and at times broadly during the hour-long audience.
"The certainty that the Church is Christ's and he will never cease
guiding it and caring for it sustains me and enlightens me," the Pope
said.
"I thank all of your for the love and prayers with which you have accompanied me.
"Continue to pray for me, for the Church, for the future pope," he said in conclusion, drawing an ovation a full minute long.
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