Pope Benedict XVI this week changed Church rules so that cardinals could begin the conclave earlier than the 15 days after the papacy becomes vacant prescribed by the previous law. The change means that the cardinals, in their pre-conclave meetings, can themselves decide when to start. 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.Pope Benedict bid an emotional farewell at his last general audience 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.Addressing an estimated 150,000 people in St Peter’s Square the day before he steps down today, Benedict said his crisis-hit papacy had included moments of joy but also difficulty when, "It seemed like the Lord was sleeping.”Sitting on an ivory colored throne on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica and frequently interrupted by applause from the crowd, the pontiff said: "There were moments when the waters were choppy and there were headwinds.”When he finished his speech the crowd, including many red-hatted cardinals, stood to clap.Benedict will abdicate today and then cardinals begin consultations ahead of a conclave to choose his successor.He said he had great faith in the future of a troubled Church, adding: "I took this step in the full knowledge of its gravity and rarity but with a profound serenity of spirit.”Loving the Church meant, "having the courage to take difficult and anguished choices, always having in mind the good of the church and not oneself,” he said.The pope says he is too old and weak to continue leading a Church beset by crises over child abuse by priests and a leak of confidential Vatican documents showing corruption and rivalry among Vatican officials.A huge crowd from Italy and abroad had flowed into the sprawling square in bright sunshine since early morning for the mid-week audience which is normally held indoors but was moved outside to accommodate faithful wanting their last glimpse of the pope.Church crisisMany Catholics were stunned by his decision and concerned about the impact it will have on a Church torn by divisions.But most of those in the square were supportive and praised Benedict, an increasingly frail figure in the last months of his papacy."He did what he had to do in his conscience before God,” said Sister Carmela, from a city north of Rome, who came to the capital with her fellow nuns and members of her parish."He was very humble to do this,” said Carla Mantoni, 65, from a parish in Rome.Not everyone agreed."He was a disaster. It’s good for everyone that he resigned,” said Peter McNamara, 61, an Australian of Irish descent who said he had come to the square "to witness history”.The Vatican has said Benedict, who will move to the papal summer residence south of Rome today night when the papacy becomes vacant, will assume the title of "pope emeritus” and be addressed as "your holiness”.His lead seal and his ring of office, known as the "ring of the fisherman”, will be destroyed according to Church rules, just as if he had died.The Vatican said on Tuesday that the pope was sifting through documents to see which will remain in the Vatican and go into the archives of his papacy and which "are of a personal nature and he will take to his new residence”.Among the documents left for the next pope will be a confidential report by three cardinals into the "Vatileaks” affair last year when Benedict’s former butler revealed private papers showing corruption and in-fighting inside the Vatican.The new pope will inherit a Church marked by Vatileaks and by child abuse scandals involving priests in Europe and the United States, both of which may have weighed on Benedict’s decision.Today, he will greet cardinals in Rome, many of whom have come to take part in the conclave to elect his successor. In the afternoon, he will fly by helicopter to the papal summer retreat at Castel Gandolfo, a 15-minute journey south of Rome.There he will make an appearance from the window of the papal villa to greet residents and well-wishers expected to gather in the small square.That will be Pope Benedict’s last public appearance.At 8 p.m. the Swiss Guards who stand as sentries at the residence will march off in a sign that the papacy is vacant.Benedict will move into a convent in the Vatican in April, after it has been restored.On Friday, cardinals in Rome will begin meetings known as "general congregations” to prepare for the secret conclave that will elect a new pope.                                 

WHAT RWANDANS SAYBishop Smaragde Mbonyintege, spokesman of the Roman Catholic Church in Rwanda and Bishop of Kabgayi DiocesePope Benedict XIV is a Christian role model. During his reign, he was able to respond to serious issues, like sex abuse allegations against some priests .

--------------------------------------------Jean Claude Afurika, NyarugengeThe Pope will be remembered for his effort to strengthen and protect the Catholic faith. His resignation may be a lesson to other leaders because if one feels unable to continue leading they may resign.

-----------------------------------------Alfonse RutazigwaBenidict XVI will be remembered for his effort to fight abortion and homosexuality. I didn’t welcome his resignation because it is a discouragement or disappointment to Catholics. The new Pope should step up efforts in evangelisation and eradication of the paedophilia by priests.

------------------------------------------------Francois Rwahigi, Kigali City center, businessmanThe Pope was honest in resigning. Instead of leading the Church while you feel unable, better to leave office. The new Pope should keep on fighting homosexuality, and fight for peace using the large number of the Catholic faithful.

Compiled by Théogène Ishimwe