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A farewell ceremony
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/popespeaks630.jpgPope Benedict XVI speaks to his cardinals during a farewell ceremony in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on the day of his departure as supreme head of the Catholic Church. Photograph: L'Osservatore Romano/Getty Images
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Final address
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/popefisheye630.jpgA fisheye lens view of the pope’s final address while in office. Photograph: L'Osservatore Romano/Getty Images
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Hanging on his every word
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/listenup630.jpgThe cardinals listen to the pope’s last words to them in office. Photograph: L'Osservatore Romano/Getty Images
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Sunny at the summer house
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/summerhouse630.jpgNuns enjoy the sun in front of the summer residence of Pope Benedict XVI in Castelgandolfo on the day he steps down. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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Marking a big day
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/nunslunch630.jpgNuns have lunch in front of Pope Benedict’s summer residence. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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A big thank you
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/bigsign630.jpgA worker sets up a display on the exterior of a house in Castelgandolfo, Italy, saying thank you on the day Pope Benedict Xvi steps down from office. The words read "Thank you Benedict, we are all with you.” Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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Crowds gather
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B1.jpgA general view of a packed St Peter's Square as Pope Benedict XVI holds his last general audience. The weekly event would normally be held in a vast auditorium in winter but was moved outdoors so more people could attend. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
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Crowds gather
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B2.jpgAround 150,000 people gather for the pope's last public address. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
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Last tour
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B9.jpgPope Benedict XVI waves to the faithful after arriving in St Peter's Square to hold his last general audience at the Vatican. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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Last tour
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B8.jpgPope Benedict XVI blesses a baby as he takes a longer than usual tour of St Peter's Square. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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Last tour
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B5.jpgThe pope tours the 17th-century square in the Popemobile for the final blessing. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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Last tour
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B3.jpgPope Benedict XVI waves from his Popemobile as he rides through a packed St Peter's Square. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
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The faithful
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B12.jpgNuns from Brazil at St Peter's Square for the pope’s last general audience. Photograph: Alesandro Bianchi/Reuters
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The faithful
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B11.jpgA woman waits in a packed Saint Peter's Square as Pope Benedict XVI holds his last general audience. Photograph: Alesandro Bianchi/Reuters
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The faithful
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B13.jpgA woman in the crowd holds a pair of Pope Benedict rosary beads at St Peter's Square. Photograph: Alesandro Bianchi/Reuters
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The faithful
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B6.jpgA nun holds a sign with her parish name as the pope holds his last general audience. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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The faithful
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B7.jpg'Grazie' (thanks), reads a sign held by two nuns among the crowd in St Peter's Square for the pope's final blessing. Photograph: Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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The faithful
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B10.jpgA nun waits in a packed Saint Peter's Square as Pope Benedict XVI holds his last general audience. Photograph: Alesandro Bianchi/Reuters
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Public farewell
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/b15.jpgIn his final address, the pope said his crisis-hit papacy has included moments of joy but also difficulty when 'it seemed like the Lord was sleeping'. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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Public farewell
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B14.jpgPope Benedict says he understands the gravity of his decision to become the first pontiff to resign in 600 years but that he has done it for the good of the Church. Photograph: Max Rossi/Reuters
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Public farewell
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B16.jpgFrequently interrupted by applause from the crowd, the pontiff says: 'There were moments when the waters were choppy and there were headwinds.' Photograph: Tony Gentile/Reuters
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Public farewell
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/gallery/files/2013/02/B19.jpgAcknowledging the crowds upon finishing his speech. Photograph: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
