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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Pope Benedict says he is standing down 'for good of the church' | Pope Benedict says he is standing down 'for good of the church' |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Pope Benedict XVI has said he is standing down for "the good of the church", as he made his first public appearance since his shock announcement that he is to tender the first papal resignation since the Middle Ages. | Pope Benedict XVI has said he is standing down for "the good of the church", as he made his first public appearance since his shock announcement that he is to tender the first papal resignation since the Middle Ages. |
| Amid the cheers and tears of the faithful who had turned out in force to witness Benedict's audience in the Vatican, the outgoing pontiff thanked them for their "love and prayer". | Amid the cheers and tears of the faithful who had turned out in force to witness Benedict's audience in the Vatican, the outgoing pontiff thanked them for their "love and prayer". |
| "Keep praying for me, for the church and for the future pope," he added, after a standing ovation from the thousands of people assembled in the audience hall. | "Keep praying for me, for the church and for the future pope," he added, after a standing ovation from the thousands of people assembled in the audience hall. |
| Restating his declaration on Monday, made in Latin to a group of cardinals, that his strength – both mental and physical – were declining, Benedict said he was "well aware" of the gravity of the decision. | Restating his declaration on Monday, made in Latin to a group of cardinals, that his strength – both mental and physical – were declining, Benedict said he was "well aware" of the gravity of the decision. |
| "I did this in full freedom for the good of the church after praying for a long time and examining my conscience before God," he said. | "I did this in full freedom for the good of the church after praying for a long time and examining my conscience before God," he said. |
| The 85-year-old pope, who appeared strong, said he had experienced the kindness of worshippers "almost physically". | The 85-year-old pope, who appeared strong, said he had experienced the kindness of worshippers "almost physically". |
| He will later hold the Ash Wednesday Mass in St Peter's Basilica. It had been scheduled for a smaller venue on the Aventine hill, but the plans were changed in the aftermath of his announcement. | He will later hold the Ash Wednesday Mass in St Peter's Basilica. It had been scheduled for a smaller venue on the Aventine hill, but the plans were changed in the aftermath of his announcement. |
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