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The faithful fill St. Peter's Square as Pope Benedict XVI attends his last public audience on Wednesday, February 27, in Vatican City. Benedict's decision to resign earlier this month caught a lot of Vatican watchers, apparently even some in his inner circle, off-guard. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
The pope delivers his blessing. Benedict recounted how when he was asked to be pope eight years ago, he had prayed for God's guidance and had felt his presence "every day" since. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
Benedict takes his seat on the dias in St. Peter's Square. In an unusually personal message, he said there had been "many days of sunshine" but also "times when the water was rough ... and the Lord seemed to sleep." Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Cardinals listen to the pope. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
The pope waves to the crowd. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
A pilgrim prays as he attends Benedict's final general audience address. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Nuns attend the address. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Archbishops and cardinals sit in St. Peter's Square. The pope used his last general audience to call for a renewal of faith and speak of his own spiritual journey through eight years as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Benedict waves from to the crowd as he arrives at St. Peter's Square. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
The pope kisses a child as he arrives. Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Benedict waves to the faithful. "Loving the church also means having the courage to make tough choices," he said, as he called on the faithful to pray for him and the new pope. Franco Origlia/Getty Images
Benedict waves to the crowd as he arrives in the popemobile. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Benedict leaves the altar at the end of his last weekly audience. GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images
A priest runs to get into St. Peter's Square ahead of pope's last public audience address. Peter Macdiarmid/Getty Images
Two nuns leave Vatican City after the pope's address. Among the crowds were groups of pilgrims who had traveled to Rome for the special occasion, as well as locals and curious visitors keen to share in the moment. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
A cardinal arrives in St. Peter's Square. Benedict will leave office at 8 p.m. local time Thursday. Oli Scarff/Getty Images
A Swiss guard stands in front of the Vatican. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
