Headline of the day 2/27/13

Thousands flock to bid farewell at Benedict's final papal audience

By Laura Smith-Spark and Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN

updated 7:44 AM EST, Wed February 27, 2013

Pope: 'Deeply grateful for prayers'

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Pope Benedict XVI's final public words are greeted by a huge cheer
• The Roman Catholic Church has been through stormy waters, but God will not let it sink, he says
• Benedict goes around St. Peter's Square in the Popemobile
• He is to leave office at 8 p.m. local time Thursday for a life of seclusion