Pope Benedict XVI Holds His Final General Audience Before His Retirement

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - FEBRUARY 27: Posters wish Pope Benedict XVI farewell after giving his final general audience in St Peter's Square before his retirement on February 27, 2013 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Pontiff has held his last weekly public audience before stepping down tomorrow. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)