VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict says his resignation is for "the good of the church."

The pope received a lengthy standing ovation today when he walked into a packed public audience hall at St. Peter's Basilica.

At the start of his audience, he told the crowd in Latin that he simply didn't have the strength to continue.

The pope will preside over Ash Wednesday services.  You can watch it live in the video player above when it begins around 11am (est).