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Benedict: Pray for Me, Next Pope

It's his second-to-last Angelus blessing until he steps down

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 17, 2013 5:25 AM CST | Updated Feb 17, 2013 6:04 AM CST

(AP) – Pope Benedict XVI is blessing the faithful from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square for the first time since announcing his resignation, cheered by an emotional crowd of tens of thousands of well-wishers from around the world. Speaking in Spanish, Reuters notes that Benedict implored the crowd, "I beg you to continue praying for me and for the next pope." He triumphantly raised his arms outstretched to the crowd in his second-to-last Angelus blessing before leaving the papacy. A huge banner in the square read: "We love you."

The appointment today is one of the most cherished traditions of the Catholic Church, and this moment is one of Benedict's last opportunities to connect with the Catholic masses. The pontiff will spend the rest of the week on a Lenten prayer retreat, reports the BBC.

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful from his window overlooking St.Peter's Square during the Angelus prayer, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013.
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful from his window overlooking St.Peter's Square during the Angelus prayer, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Nuns applaud as they listen to Pope Benedict XVI's message during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.
Nuns applaud as they listen to Pope Benedict XVI's message during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Faithful listen to Pope Benedict XVI's message during the angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.
Faithful listen to Pope Benedict XVI's message during the angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Faithful listen to Pope Benedict XVI's message during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.
Faithful listen to Pope Benedict XVI's message during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.
Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful during the Angelus prayer in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.   (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during the Angelus noon prayer he celebrated in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.
Pope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful during the Angelus noon prayer he celebrated in St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.   (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Pope Benedict XVI waves during the Angelus noon prayer he celebrated from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's square, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.
Pope Benedict XVI waves during the Angelus noon prayer he celebrated from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's square, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.   (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 16 comments
NYUFan
Feb 17, 2013 3:02 PM CST
We are busy praying for the poor young boys who were prEyed upon by the priests. Well, that and praying the government will TAX the Catholic Church, the BIGGEST BUSINESS in the WORLD!
iq145
Feb 17, 2013 1:02 PM CST
He's "blessing the faithful"? He doesn't have the right or the power. So what will he do now anyway? i guess he'll have to be a truckdriver.
Twiny
Feb 17, 2013 11:05 AM CST
Oh please, spare me any more reverential coverage about this hypocritical SOB Pope Benedict XVI. As far as his record goes, he can’t leave office a moment too soon. His tenure at the Vatican, which included more than twenty years as the Catholic Church’s chief theological enforcer before he became Pope in 2005, has been disastrous. By setting himself and the church against the modern world in general, and by dragging his feet in response to one of the worst scandals since the Reformation, Benedict has alienated countless people around the world who were brought up in the church's teachings. Throughout much of the developed world, the number of people attending services is declining steadily, and there is a tremendous shortage of priests. In places like Ireland and Benedict’s own Germany, young people are deserting the Church in droves. David Clohessy, executive director of the twelve-thousand-strong Survivors’ Network of those Abused by Priests, told The Guardian. “He knows more about clergy sex crimes and cover-ups than anyone else in the Church, yet he has done nothing to protect children.” For that alone, I wish hell was real so this SOB Pope, his Cardinals and Bishops and all the others who helped hide predatory priests could burn in it for eternity.

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Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • Vatican • St. Peter's Square • Roman Catholic Church • Pope Benedict resigns

 
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