In pictures: Pontiff, popemobile, paraphernalia and prayers

A girl carrying a giant cut-out featuring Pope Benedict XVI duing his first state visit to his native Germany in 2011. AFP Photo / Thomas Kienzle

Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile on his way for an evening prayer service at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris during his first visit to France in 2008. AFP Photo - Olivier Laban-Mattei.

Souvenirs with portraits of Pope Benedict XVI are displayed in a shop near the Vatican after it was announced that Pope Benedict XVI will resign. AFP Photo/ Vincenzo Pinto

Germany's Joseph Ratzinger was unveiled as the new Pope Benedict XVI in 2005 after being elected the 265th pope of the Roman at the Vatican City. AFP Photo / Patrick Hertzog

A photo taken in 1943 during World War II shows Joseph Ratzinger as a German Air Force assistant. AFP Photo / KNA-Bild

Pope Benedict XVI pictured leaving at the end of his weekly audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican in 2011. Reuters / Stefano Rellandini

Pope Benedict XVI wearing a sombrero in Leon last year. AFP Photo / Osservatore Romono

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithfull from his popemobile on his way to visit the nativity in St Peter's Square after celebrating the Vespers and Te Deum prayer in St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on December 31, 2009. AFP PHOTO / Filippo Monteforte

Pope Benedict XVI kisses a baby, Maria Tyszczak from Poland, as he arrives to preside over a Celebration of Mass in Bellahouston Park, Glasgow, in Scotland in 2010. AFP Photo / Paul Ellis

In this photo provided by the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Benedict XVI, sitting on the throne at left, announced that he would resign February 28. AFP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano