Pope Benedict XVI officially retires on Thursday after eight years as leader of the Catholic Church.
The Pope speaking to the faithful in St Peter's Square on Wednesday.
Benedict clearly enjoyed the occasion, taking a long victory lap around the square in an open-sided car and stopping to kiss and bless half a dozen children.
The faithful fill St Peter's Square ahead of Pope Benedict XVI's final general audience before his retirement.
The Pope holds the last audience of his pontificate on the eve of his historic resignation as leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. Click through for more pictures
Pope Gets New Title And Drops 'Prada' Shoes
Benedict is praying as he prepares to move out of the Vatican on Thursday when he stands down as leader of the world's Catholics.
The Pope conducting his final Sunday prayers before retirement
By Sally Arthy, Senior News Editor, Rome
Pope Benedict XVI will be called "Emeritus Pope" after he retires later this week, the Vatican has announced.
Benedict himself had made the decision in consultation with others, settling on "Your Holiness Benedict XVI" and either emeritus pope or emeritus Roman pontiff, according to Vatican spokesman Rev Federico Lombardi.
Rev Lombardi said the Pope is praying and preparing to move out on Thursday when he officially stands down as leader of the world's 1.2billion Roman Catholics.
Fifty thousand tickets have been given out for the Pope's final General Audience on Wednesday morning in St Peter's Square.
He will greet his followers from the Popemobile and the proceedings will be televised live.
On Thursday, Pope Benedict will meet his cardinals for the last time before leaving the Vatican that afternoon for a short flight by helicopter to Castel Gandolfo.The Pope will give up his red shoes, rumoured to be Prada
There he will greet members of the local parish from a balcony in his last public appearance as Pope.
That night, the gates of Castle Gandolfo will close and the Swiss Guard will withdraw as Pope Benedict's tenure officially comes to an end.
Vatican police will take over guarding Benedict XVI when he is no longer the Pope.
Rev Lombardi said he would continue to wear a simple white cassock, but his footwear would change.
Gone will be the red "Prada" loafers, replaced by brown shoes made in Leon, Mexico.Cardinal Keith O'Brien resigned amid claims of 'inappropriate behaviour'
A pair was given to the Pope on a recent trip there. After Thursday, the Pope's "fisherman's ring" will also be destroyed.
Benedict XVI will remain at Castel Gandolfo until renovations have been completed on the monastery inside the walls of the Vatican where he will spend the rest of his days.
Rev Lombardi said the general congregations, when all Cardinals meet to discuss the problems facing the Catholic Church, will probably begin on March 4.
A date for the start of the conclave to elect a new Pope has not yet been announced but the rules have been changed allowing the calendar of events to be moved forward.
The election of a successor comes as the Catholic Church continues to be mired in scandal.
On Monday, Scotland's Cardinal Keith O'Brien resigned amid allegations of "inappropriate behaviour".
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