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Sunday, February 17, 2013

Pope, at one of last appearances, says pray for me and next pope

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict, speaking before a larger than usual crowd at his penultimate Sunday address, asked the faithful to pray for him and for the next pope.

The crowd in St Peter's Square chanted "long live the pope!," waved banners and broke into sustained applause as he spoke from his window. The 85-year-old Benedict, who will resign on February 28, thanked the crowd in several languages.

Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leads the Sunday Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican February 17, 2013. Thousands of people are gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Sunday Angelus prayer. REUTERS/Max Rossi (
Pope Benedict XVI waves as he leads the Sunday Angelus prayer in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican February 17, 2013. Thousands of people are gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Sunday Angelus prayer. REUTERS/Max Rossi (

Speaking in Spanish, he said: "I beg you to continue praying for me and for the next pope". It was not clear why the pope chose Spanish to make the only specific reference to his upcoming resignation.

(Reporting By Philip Pullella)

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