Pope Benedict XVI made his final general audience appearance yesterday morning. Tens of thousands of followers gathered in St Peter’s Square, where the pope has provided lessons on the Catholic faith every week for eight years.

He thanked his cardinals for respecting and supporting his decision to resign. Benedict said:

To love the church means also to have the courage to take difficult, painful decisions, always keeping the good of the church in mind, not oneself.

Pope Benedict told the audience that his papacy had been a “heavy burden,” but he accepted it, stating that God would guide him. Making biblical reference he said at times it “felt like St Peter with his apostles on the Lake of Galilee.”

Pope Benedict relayed his final message to the audience in English. He thanked God and the Church, and thanked all pilgrims for their understanding, support and prayer through his recent decision. He thanked God for his guidance and love for the past eight years and mentioned he will continue to accompany the church with his prayers and encouraged pilgrims to pray for the church and the new elected pope.

Benedict is set to officially resign today.

[Source: Stuff, BBC News]