Pope Benedict thanked God and his own earthly family for his papacy and his life on Sunday at a mass that began celebrations marking his 80th birthday and the second anniversary of his election as Roman Catholic leader.Tens of thousands of pilgrims joined cardinals, bishops and foreign dignitaries in a sunny St Peter's Square to pray with the German-born pontiff, who turns 80 on Monday.
He said the events allowed him to look back at his life.
"To all I say the most heartfelt 'thank you,' and I extend that to the whole Church which, like a real family, surrounds me with its affection particularly at this time," the Pope said in a sermon after the mass.
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