Pope Benedict has appeared before the faithful to give his second-last Sunday blessing.

He was cheered by an emotional crowd of tens of thousands of well-wishers from around the world.

Benedict made no direct reference to his stunning decision to step down on February 28th.

But he asked the faithful to continue praying for him and the next pope.

He’s now gone on a week-long Lenten retreat, and will make just one more Angelus blessing from the window before he steps down at the end of the month.