Weary Benedict asks faithful to keep praying for him

A weary Pope Benedict XVI has celebrated his final public Mass as pontiff.

He presided over Ash Wednesday services just hours after explaining his decision to step down directly to the faithful.

The mood inside St Peter’s Basilica was sombre during the Mass. However, the basilica erupted in a rousing, minutes-long standing ovation as Benedict exited, bringing tears to the eyes of some of his closest collaborators.