The Buckingham

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Pope Benedict XVI has given his final mass.

The frail Pope, 85, gave a humble final mass in front of about 55,000 people gathered in front of St. Peter’s Square in Rome.  He arrived in his Pope mobile to cheers, thanking everyone for understanding his decision to step down.

The Pope had announced his decision to resign a few weeks prior due to his age and health.  He’s the first Pope in the modern age to step down rather then serve for life.

He will continue to be known as Benedict XVI and become the Roman pontiff emeritus or pope emeritus, the Vatican had announced on Feb. 21.

Pope Benedict XVI will later depart for Castel Gandolfo, the summer residence for popes, and live there until restorations are complete on the Vatican covenant, which will become his home.

The former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger became Pope after the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005.