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.
