Benedict XVI rides Popemobile for last time, greets pilgrims at St. Peter's Square

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Benedict XVI rides Popemobile for last time, greets pilgrims at St. Peter's Square

Benedict XVI's last General Audience

For the very last time Benedict XVI rode the Popemobile to greet the pilgrims gathered for the general audience at St. Peter's Square.

During his ride along the Square, the Pope smiled and waved at the thousands of people gathered to thank him and bid him farewell. The short drive gave way to his last public event as Pope, before stepping down on Thursday. 

Pilgrims flooded St. Peter's Square and Via della Conciliazione as Benedict XVI prepares for his last public event as Pope.

Only people with one of 50,000 tickets were allowed inside the seated areas of St. Peter's Square. But that didn't stop other pilgrims from coming to hear Benedict XVI say goodbye.

The city of Rome also provided giant screens all along Via della Conciliazione to make it easier for them to see and hear the Pope.

In all, approximately 200,000 people are expected to attend the general audience, a number similar to the Pope's last Angelus this past Sunday.