Pope Benedict XVI gives final audience before thousands

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Everybody wanted to share a special moment with you now be final farewell to the faithful.

Pope Benedict the sixteenth addressing an enormous crowd this morning in Saint Peter's Square.

For his final time and we say good morning to you welcome on Bill Hemmer live here in America's news' good morning.

-- my buddy I'm not -- accounts a lot of emotional and historic moment.

We watch play out today -- has been 600 years since the last time a Pope made this decision to step down.

More than a 150000.

People filed a Saint Peter's Square to be part of this moment to witness it live Pope Benedict.

Going along the Pope mobile there this earlier this morning in the last public audience taking a victory -- -- -- some of the little children -- were in attendance there's some of that.

Boy a lot to impose -- Madison.

Where -- over the next 24 hours Martha he will be a former pole at 8 o'clock local time tomorrow night and Thursday in the pontiff by taking a look at those pictures.

Reflecting on the big moment as his life and his church and -- unchartered waters.

And the grounds has been some of the words that resonated in my heart hands and things and lord dollars -- you -- -- senior it is a great burden that you placed on my shoulders if you could but if you ask me.

I will excess and he's -- certain that you will guidance.

Even with all of the witnesses I have.

-- takes the ministry unseen -- -- upon himself does not have any privacy I think.

In his seat belongs totally -- and always to everyone.

-- into the whole church -- and the private dimensions.

Is completely taken away from his life.

You wonder what sort of privacy he will have now want to go live to Vatican City inside of Rome Italy where.

-- Jonathan Morris -- Fox's religion contributor he's live from the Vatican that's a place -- He has spent many years working and father -- do you explain the message from the pontiff today.

Sure they'll -- the whole issue of his privacy -- he brought up is very interesting because through that he was saying.

After I -- Retire right coming up tomorrow as you said at 8 o'clock PM Rome time.

I'm not just going to be a private citizen of the world anymore where I can go as he -- he -- conferences.

-- talks he said no.

I will always be the one who was -- It's now Pope emeritus and he said the -- he will be a pulmonary test will be by being in the monastery in -- convent.

In which and making reference to.

Saint Benedict who was a month he's saying that's the type of -- I'm going to lead in other words in quiet in free or doing his service of the church.

Instead of going back and be just what he was before it became Pope very interesting there will not be a Pope making commentary on the new pope's.

Words and actions I think what we think about his words we all have an interpretation for what his message is -- especially.

But when you think about this comment I've had moments of joy and light -- -- also moments that have not been easy he said today.

Moments of turbulent seas and rough winds.

Do you read that it.

Well you know certainly there's a lot of -- done joys that come with.

Being a shepherd of all these people all the people who work come to -- at the big audiences all of that is very insured grateful for him.

But also there's been a a great.

Amount of difficulties within the church -- think about when he first took over in 2005.

The sex abuse scandal that he had to deal weapon he dealt with a pretty quickly.

My to tell -- very personal story I was part of religious order.

The time whose founder turned out to be real social path.

A month after I Pope Benedict.

Became Pope he immediately acted and publicly disciplined this priest.

Those are hard things to do it not just that think about that the bad elites.

Scandal as it's known now that of his own Butler.

Giving things to the press there's also been a great deal of conflict between traditionalists.

And the -- -- and the church and so he's had to struggle with these things that's been hard and he did it beginning at the age of 78.

Now he's 85 imagine your grandfather taking on something like this I certainly it's been a very hard thing for him.

But you know what I think this is an act of humility on his part he said while I could stay in power I'm gonna give it up to somebody else because the way the paint the -- Works right now in these times of fast communication.

We need somebody of sound health of mind and body who can act quickly and he -- I just don't think I can do -- to the best thing to do is to step aside.

-- -- He clearly enjoyed the moment today and that was obvious from his own expressions bothers you saw that there.

-- Jonathan Morris thank you live in Rome Italy leading our coverage as we'll see him.

Many times in the coming weeks -- -- are.

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Pope Benedict XVI gives final audience before thousands

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