Pope Benedict XVI has given his pontificate's final Sunday blessing from his studio window to the cheers of tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square.    

Benedict says even though he's retiring on Thursday from the papacy, the first pope in 600 years to do so, he's ``not abandoning the church.'' Instead he says he'll serve the church with the same dedication he has till now, but will do so in a way ``more suitable to my age and my strength.'' Benedict, 85, will spend his last years in prayer, meditation and seclusion in a monastery on Vatican City's grounds.    

He has one more public appearance, at his weekly audience on Wednesday in the square.    

Meanwhile, Toronto's Thomas Cardinal Collins will be making his way to Rome today after leading noon mass at St Michael's Cathedral.

Collins and other cardinals will have their last audience with the Pope on Wednesday. No exact date has been set for the start of the Conclave.

 (With files from The Associated Press)