Pope Benedict gave his last public blessing this week to 教皇本笃十六世承认他的决定出人意料tens of thousands of people in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican, the church's administrative center. The resignation of the leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church took effect Thursday.
On Wednesday, the 85-year-old leader took one final ride through the square in his open vehicle. He stopped at times to bless a baby. Later he told the crowd that he has been through some moments that were "not easy." The pope said, "To love the church also means having the courage to take difficult decisions." Some observers said the comment was a reply to his surprising decision to resign.
He told Catholic believers that he made the move with what he called "profound serenity of spirit." The most recent papal resignation was almost 600 years ago when Pope Gregory the Twelfth
Father Thomas Rosica, the director of a Catholic television network in Canada, was among those listening to Benedict's final address. Father Rosica says the pope's decision to resign is a way of teaching Catholics about
But, he said God will not let the institution sink. He urged all Catholics to always put the good of the Catholic Church before their own personal desires.
