(ANSA) - Vatican City, February 14 - Roman clergy were
visibly moved Thursday at Benedict XVI's final audience as pope
and bishop of Rome with the local diocese.
As Cardinal Agostino Vallini made his welcome address to
the pontiff in the Paul VI Hall of the Vatican, many priests
could not hold back their tears.
On Monday Benedict, 85, made a shocking announcement to
step down from the papacy, becoming the first pontiff to do so
in six centuries.
To resounding applause Wednesday, the pontiff thanked the
priests "for your affection and great love for the pope".
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