Pope Benedict XVI said there had been “stormy waters” during his papacy as he gave his farewell speech in St Peter’s Square before tens of thousands of pilgrims ahead of his momentous resignation today.

POPE Benedict XVI has outlined his most tangible initiative yet to try to revive Christianity, creating a Vatican office for re-evangelising Europe and other traditionally Christian regions where the faith is falling by the wayside.

The pope formally created a new Vatican office today to revive Christianity in Europe, his latest attempt to counter secular trends in traditionally Christian countries.