AM PREPARING FOR HOME - RETIRED POPE BENEDICT

"I can only say that with the slow waning of my physical forces, i'm on a pilgrimage towards home. It is a great gift for me to be surrounded on this last stretch of this sometimes tiring road, by a degree of love and goodwill that I could never have imagined". The 90 year old retired pope wrote the letter as he approaches the five year anniversary of his historic resignation.

Former Pope Benedict became the first pope in 600 years to resign from the seat of St Peter when  he stepped down in February 2013, a decision that shook the world.