try{ var page = '/NPR Story/Pope Benedict XVI To Become Pope Emeritus After Stepping Down-web_box'; jQuery.google_analytics(page); }catch(err){ }

Pope Benedict XVI To Become 'Pope Emeritus' After Stepping Down

By Sylvia Poggioli

February 27, 2013

On his last full day as Pope, Benedict XVI had his final general audience in St. Peter's Square before a crowd estimated at 150,000 people. He had a more personal message than usual, saying his resignation was dictated by his ailing health and declining speech. He spoke of the moments of joy in his papacy, but also of turbulent seas and rough winds when it seemed like the lord was sleeping.

Listen to this story

Audio Player

AudioPlayer.setup("media/flash/audio-player.swf", { width: 335, initialvolume: 100, transparentpagebg: "yes", animation: "yes", buffer: 5 }); AudioPlayer.embed("audioplayer_1", { soundFile: "http://pd.npr.org/anon.npr-mp3/npr/atc/2013/02/20130227_atc_01.mp3?orgId=1&topicId=1016&aggIds=174095298&ft=3&f=173086604", titles: "Pope Benedict XVI To Become 'Pope Emeritus' After Stepping Down", autostart: "no" });