God told me to go - POPE

In an emotional goodbye to 100,000 supporters, the Pope revealed on Sunday  that he was stepping aside because God told him to do so.

In a voice raw with emotion, Benedict XVI told pilgrims in St Peter’s Square that he was resigning on February 28 because God had called on him to devote himself to prayer. He said God had told him ‘to climb the mountain’.

Mail Online reports that pilgrims filled the piazza to witness a historical moment and thank the Pope for his eight year Pontificate at the Angelus Prayer, his penultimate public appearance as the Pontiff.

Despite recently looking tired and frail,  he spoke in a clear, strong voice, repeatedly thanking the faithful for their closeness and affection as they interrupted him, again and again, with applause and cheers. Police estimated some 100,000 people turned out.

Benedict insisted he was “not abandoning the church.” Instead, speaking in Italian, he said he would  serve the church with the same dedication he had until now, but would do so “in a way more suitable to my age and my strength”.

He also said he would continue to serve through meditation and prayer after his historic abdication.