The Vatican Prepares For The Departure This Week Of Pope Benedict XVI

VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - FEBRUARY 26: (EDITORS NOTE; THIS DIGITAL IMAGE WAS CREATED USING A VARIABLE FOCAL PLANE LENS) A local church group carry a wooden cross as they prepare to pray for Pope Benedict XVI on the steps of St Peter's Basilica on February 26, 2013 in Rome, Italy. The Pontiff will hold his last weekly public audience on February 27, 2013 before he retires the following day. Pope Benedict XVI has been the leader of the Catholic Church for eight years and is the first Pope to retire since 1415. He cites ailing health as his reason for retirement and will spend the rest of his life in solitude away from public engagements. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)