[00:03.04]From VOA Learning English, [00:06.52]this is IN THE NEWS in Special English. [00:10.35]Pope Benedict gave his last public blessing this week [00:16.07]to tens of thousands of people [00:18.47]in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican, [00:22.00]the church's administrative center. [00:24.54]The resignation of the leader of the worldwide [00:28.27]Roman Catholic Church took effect Thursday. [00:31.96]On Wednesday, the 85-year-old leader [00:40.28]took one final ride through the square in his open vehicle. [00:46.06]He stopped at times to bless a baby. [00:49.25]Later he told the crowd that he has been through some moments [00:54.47]that were "not easy." [00:56.51]The pope said, "To love the Church [00:59.66]also means having the courage to take difficult decisions." [01:05.13]Some observers said the comment was a reply [01:09.06]to his surprising decision to resign. [01:12.85]Benedict recognized that his decision was not expected. [01:18.08]He told Catholic believers that he made the move [01:22.47]with what he called "profound serenity of spirit." [01:27.20]The most recent papal resignation was almost 600 years ago, [01:33.47]when Pope Gregory the Twelfth stepped down. [01:37.31]Father Thomas Rosica, [01:40.24]the director of a Catholic television network in Canada, [01:44.23]was among those listening to Benedict's final address. [01:49.21]Father Rosica says the pope's decision to resign [01:53.69]is a way of teaching Catholics about surrender. [01:58.13]"Pope John Paul II taught us the profound lesson of his papacy, [02:02.21]especially in the final years, [02:03.51]about suffering and dying. [02:05.45]Pope Benedict has taught us another lesson. [02:07.93]He's taught us about surrender. [02:09.83]We don't cling to power and authority and office and privilege, [02:14.37]when our energies are no longer there." [02:16.71]Benedict said the Church had troubles and "stormy waters" [02:22.28]during his eight-year leadership. [02:25.06]But, he said God will not let the institution sink. [02:30.21]He urged all Catholics to always put the good of the Catholic Church [02:37.54]before their own personal desires. [02:41.17]The pope has had to answer accusations of corruption [02:46.06]and sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members. [02:50.88]He has dealt with the leak of thousands of private documents [02:56.46]that reportedly show dishonor in the church. [03:00.85]And, there has been a decrease in the Catholic faith within Europe. [03:06.88]Before leaving on Thursday, [03:09.47]Benedict said goodbye in private to Roman Catholic cardinals. [03:15.09]He urged these high-level officials to unite [03:19.73]as they prepare to choose the next pope among their number. [03:25.15]Pope Benedict will now be called "pope emeritus" [03:29.88]and continue to wear the white clothing he wore while serving as pope. [03:35.96]Many people have criticized the decision to let him stay in the Vatican. [03:42.03]They say his presence could create tension with the new ruling pope. [03:49.36]Pope Benedict has said he plans to live quietly [03:54.00]in prayer and meditation in his words, "hidden to the world." [03:59.00]He also promised to show "unconditional reverence and obedience" to the next pope. [04:06.98]The Pope left the Vatican Thursday by helicopter [04:11.52]and arrived at his new temporary home, Castel Gandolfo, south of the Vatican. [04:18.34]He will return to the Vatican [04:21.17]and live in what is called a convent in a few months. [04:25.56]In a final message on his official Twitter account, [04:30.45]the leader of the world's more than one billion Catholics [04:34.83]thanked his followers for their "love and support." [04:38.87]He also wrote, "May you always experience the joy [04:44.09]that comes from putting Christ at the center of your lives." [04:49.42]Go to 51voa.com for more...

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