Pontiff gives his last Sunday blessing before he resigns
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By LISA EVERS, Fox 5 News Reporter
MYFOXNY.COM -
Pope Benedict the 16th gave his last Sunday blessing before he resigns on Thursday.
Tens of thousands cheered and applauded as the Pontiff greeted them in seven different languages from his window high above Saint Peter's Square.
The Pope thanked the pilgrims for their prayers and support over the past three weeks. The 85-year-old Pontiff told the crowd he is not abandoning the Roman Catholic Church and that he will continue to serve and love the church by praying and meditating during retirement.
Right now the Catholic Church is rocked by reports of a Vatican scandal, but Catholics at St. Patrick's Cathedral say their faith is strong and will see them through.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan said his last mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral before he leaves for the conclave in Rome to select the next Pope. Some believe he would be the ideal successor to Pope Benedict, but his eminence has dismissed the speculation.
After mass, he urged support for the ailing Pontiff.
This week the eyes of the world will turn toward Rome and the replacement of Pope Benedict. Italian newspapers sat there's a secret dossier compiled by three Cardinals that alleges scandals involving money, sex and power. Catholics here are dealing with the disturbing allegations in their own ways.
"This doesn't shake my faith, it's bigger than this," said one parishioner.
"I feel what they do over there doesn't so much affect the church here, but they do need to make reforms."
Whatever their position on the recent developments, many of the faithful Fox 5 spoke with say they hope Pope Benedict's successor is more in touch with the times and launches effective reforms.
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