Pope Benedict arrives in St. Peter's Square, where tens of thousands of pilgrims have gathered to bid him a final farewell.<br/> <br />On Thursday Benedict will step down, becoming the first pontiff to resign in 600 years.<br/> <br />He said he understood the gravity of his decision, but that he had made it for the good of the Roman Catholic Church, feeling unfit to lead in his old age.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) POPE BENEDICT SAYING:<br/> <br />"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."<br/> <br />After Benedict officially abdicates, Church cardinals will begin consultations to choose his successor.<br/> <br />Many in the crowd, which streamed into the square across the Tiber River and along nearby streets, held up banners thanking the pope and wishing him well.<br/> <br />Benedict's tenure as pope saw the Church beset by crises over child abuse by priests and a leak of confidential Vatican documents showing corruption and rivalry among Vatican officials.
