From the Popemobile, Pope Benedict XVI waves to flag waving pilgrims and well-wishers as he enters St. Peter's Square, Vatican city 27 February 2013 to preside over his last weekly Wednesday General Audience. at 8pm local time 28 February the Pontiff will officially retire - the first to do so in almost six hundred years: photo - PAP/EPA.
Father Piotr Studnicki of Rome's Polish Church of St Stanislaw told Polish Radio that three groups had applied for official tickets, and that the numbers will be boosted by individual pilgrims.
“We are seeing an influx of individuals, who having learnt about the abdication, decided to come to Rome especially for this audience, believing that they will be taking part in a historic event,” he said.
As many as 200,000 people attended the General Audience on St. Peter's Square this morning, and 50,000 applied for registered tickets, according to the Vatican.
The 85-year-old pontiff will greeted pilgrims in his white 'popemobile.'
Pope Benedict XVI will officially cease to be pontiff at 8 pm local time on Thursday, and he will be flown by helicopter to Castel Gandalfo, summer residence of the popes, about 24 km outside Rome.
Thereafter, he will be known as 'pope emeritus'.
Pope Benedict announced his impending abdication on February 11, citing his age and physical frailty.
During his final homily last Sunday, he stated that “the good Lord has called me to climb unto the Mount, to dedicate myself ever more to prayer and meditation.”
He is the first pontiff to step down in almost six hundred years, following the abdication of Pope Gregory XII in 1415.
The Holy See has altered the rules concerning papal conclaves, so that Benedict's successor can be elected before Holy Week.
Normally, the conclave starts between 15 and 20 days after the papal throne is made vacant.
A final date has yet to be chosen. (nh/pg)