Pope's English remarks during final General Audience
Pope Benedict XVI's remarks in English during his final General Audience:
Dear
Brothers and Sisters, I offer a warm and affectionate greeting to the English-speaking
pilgrims and visitors who have joined me for this, my last General Audience. Like
Saint Paul, whose words we heard earlier, my heart is filled with thanksgiving to
God who ever watches over his Church and her growth in faith and love, and I embrace
all of you with joy and gratitude. During this Year of Faith, we have been called
to renew our joyful trust in the Lord’s presence in our lives and in the life of the
Church. I am personally grateful for his unfailing love and guidance in the eight
years since I accepted his call to serve as the Successor of Peter. I am also deeply
grateful for the understanding, support and prayers of so many of you, not only here
in Rome, but also throughout the world. The decision I have made, after much prayer,
is the fruit of a serene trust in God’s will and a deep love of Christ’s Church.
I will continue to accompany the Church with my prayers, and I ask each of you to
pray for me and for the new Pope. In union with Mary and all the saints, let us entrust
ourselves in faith and hope to God, who continues to watch over our lives and to guide
the journey of the Church and our world along the paths of history. I commend all
of you, with great affection, to his loving care, asking him to strengthen you in
the hope which opens our hearts to the fullness of life that he alone can give. To
you and your families, I impart my blessing. Thank you! Listen to the Pope's
English remarks: