Pope Benedict XVI spoke Wednesday about the high and lows of his near eight-year papacy, in an emotional farewell audience to a crowd in the tens of thousands on the eve of his resignation.
According to the Vatican press office, 150,000 people turned up in Rome's St Peter's Square, 50,000 more than had come for the pontiff's last Angelus prayers on Sunday. Police estimated Wednesday's attendance at 100,000.
Benedict was driven through the crowds aboard his Popemobile to greet the crowds, accompanied by his private secretary, Archbishop Georg Gaenswein. The car stopped several times to let the pontiff bless babies.
His time as leader of the Catholic Church "had moments of joy and light, but also moments that were not easy," the 85-year-old told the faithful, who applauded him several times and greeted him with flags, banners and chants.
Benedict was elected on April 19, 2005. During his papacy, he had to deal with the alleged cover-up of child sex abuse by priests and the VatiLeaks affair - the publication of confidential papal papers which shed light on suspected cronyism, corruption and scheming at the Vatican.
He compared himself to Saint Peter sailing through the Sea of Galilee with the apostles.
"The Lord gave us many days of sun and gentle breeze, days in which we caught many fish; there were also times in which we had stormy seas and a contrary wind, like it has been throughout the history of the Church, when the Lord seemed to be sleeping," he said.
But he said he knew that the Lord would never allow his ship to "sink," and stressed that, with almost 1.2 billion followers, the Catholic Church "is alive today," despite "the many people who speak of its decline."
Italian daily La Repubblica has suggested that the pope had decided to resign after learning of a web of blackmail, graft and underground gay sex inside the Vatican from three cardinals whom he had tasked to look into the VatiLeaks allegations.
But, on Wednesday, Benedict paid tribute to several Vatican officials whom had been caught up in the VatiLeaks allegations, starting with Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican's second-highest official, who deals with its day-to-day running.
Bertone "has followed me loyally over these years," the pope said, extending his thanks to "the entire Roman Curia" and all those who work in the Holy See.
He said he was "fully aware" of the "gravity" and "novelty" of his decision, the first papal resignation in almost 600 years. But he said his conscience was "deeply serene."
Benedict insisted he was leaving because his strength "had diminished," and stressed that he would continue serving the Catholic Church while keeping a low profile.
"I am not abandoning the cross," he said.
The resigning pope also posted what will likely be his last Twitter message. "If only everyone could experience the joy of being Christian, being loved by God who gave his son for us!," it read.
Benedict's papacy is to end at 8 pm (1900 GMT) on Thursday. He will leave by helicopter and move temporarily to Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence on the outskirts of Rome, before settling in a convent inside the Vatican that is currently being restored.
On Tuesday, the Vatican said that the German-born Joseph Ratzinger will take the title of "pope emeritus" or "Roman pontiff emeritus" after he steps down. He will continue dressing in white, but will no longer wear red shoes.
"I ask each of you to pray for me and for the new pope," Benedict said during his audience.
Early next week, cardinals will start preliminary meetings to elect a successor, during which they should set the date for the formal start of a conclave, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Tuesday.
The Catholic Church's aim is to have a new leader installed before Easter, which this year falls on March 31.