Pope Benedict met with his cardinals ahead of boarding a helicopter and flying to the papal retreat south of Rome Thursday, where he will officially end his reign. A day earlier, he held his final audience as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Benedict Bids Goodbye
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Pope Benedict holds his last general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Feb. 27, 2013.
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Pope Benedict waves to the faithful after arriving in St. Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican, Feb. 27, 2013.
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The crowd listens to Pope Benedict in St. Peter's Square during his last general audience at the Vatican, Feb. 27, 2013.
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A nun waits in a packed St. Peter's Square for Pope Benedict's last general audience, Feb. 27, 2013.