Pope Benedict Delivers One of His Final Messages as Pope

by Staff Writer

Pope Benedict Delivers One of His Final Messages as Pope

Pope Benedict XVI prayed his second-to-last Angelus prayer from the window of his apartment facing St. Peter's Square in Vatican City this past weekend.

CNN reported that Pope Benedict XVI prayed his second-to-last Angelus prayer from the window of his apartment facing St. Peter's Square in Vatican City this past weekend. He led his unusually large audience in a prayer for strength and gratitude for their support.

"Today we contemplate Christ in the desert, fasting, praying and being tempted," he said to a crowd of nearly 100,000. "As we begin our Lenten journey, we join him and we ask him to give us strength to fight our weaknesses. Let me also thank you for the prayers and support you have shown me in these days. May God bless all of you!"

The 117 cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church may gather as soon as next month to choose the next pope. Benedict is the first pope to resign in nearly six centuries.