Pope Says He's Not Abandoning The Cross

Pope Benedict bid an emotional farewell at his last general audience on yesterday, saying he understood the gravity of his decision to become the first pontiff to resign in 600 years but that he had done it for the good of the Roman Catholic Church.

Benedict will abdicate tonight and then cardinals begin consultations ahead of a conclave to choose his successor.

The Vatican appears to be aiming to have a new pope elected by mid-March and installed before Palm Sunday on March 24 so he can preside at Holy Week services leading to Easter.

Cardinals have begun informal consultations by phone and email in the past two weeks since Benedict said he was quitting.