

Pope Benedict XVI held his last general audience in St. Peter's Square.
AFP
| February 27, 2013

The faithful gathered to hear the pope.
Oded Balilty / AP
| February 27, 2013

An image of Pope Benedict hung from St. Anthony of Padua Church reading "Thank you holy father."
BULENT KILIC / AFP
| February 27, 2013

Posters of Pope Benedict hung in Vatican City.
Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
| February 27, 2013

Former Archbishop of Boston cardinal Bernard Law attended the pope's general audience.
Franco Origlia / Getty Images
| February 27, 2013

Cardinal Roger Mahoney stood next to a row of chairs in St. Peter's Square.
Gregorio Borgia
| February 27, 2013

A Swiss Guard stood in St Peter's Square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience.
Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images
| February 27, 2013

Cardinal Bernard Law attended the audience.
ALESSANDRO BIANCHI / Reuters
| February 27, 2013

Benedict left St. Peter's Square after the general audience.
CLAUDIO PERI
| February 27, 2013

Benedict waved as he arrived at St. Peter's Square.
TIZIANA FABI / AFP
| February 27, 2013

Nuns held prayer cards with Benedict's image.
Natacha Pisarenko / AP
| February 27, 2013

The faithful held a placard with a drawing of Benedict.
AFP
| February 27, 2013

An attendee brought binoculars for a better view.
AFP
| February 27, 2013

Nuns waved Indian and Argentine flags in St. Peter's Square.
Michael Sohn / AP
| February 27, 2013

The pope arrived with his personal secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein.
Alessandra Tarantino / AP
| February 27, 2013

Attendees waved flags at St. Peter's Square.
AFP / Getty images
| February 27, 2013

Crowds flocked to St. Peter's Square.
MAX ROSSI / Reuters
| February 27, 2013

Benedict kissed a child.
Franco Origlia / Getty Images
| February 27, 2013

A sign reading "thank you" in Italian was held at the square.
MAX ROSSI / Reuters
| February 27, 2013

The pope wore the Ring of the Fisherman.
MICHAEL KAPPELER / EPA
| February 27, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI waved to the faithful as he arrived in St Peter's Square.
ALESSANDRO BIANCHI / Reuters
| February 27, 2013

Benedict waved to the faithful.
Franco Origlia / Getty Images
| February 27, 2013

Attendees waved US flags.
MICHAEL KAPPELER / EPA
| February 27, 2013

Pope Benedict opened his arms during his final general audience.
Gregorio Borgia / AP
| February 27, 2013

The faithful gathered at St. Peter's Square.
Oded Balilty / AP
| February 27, 2013

A member of the Swiss guard stood in front of the Vatican.
Christopher Furlong / Getty Images
| February 27, 2013

Nuns attended Pope Benedict XVI's last general audience in St. Peter's Square.
Oded Balilty / AP
| February 27, 2013

A Blackberry mobile phone displayed Pope Benedict's last tweet.
Peter Macdiarmid / Getty Images
| February 27, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI left after his last general audience in St Peter's Square.
ALESSANDRO BIANCHI / Reuters
| February 27, 2013