"Thank you for your love and support. May you always experience the joy that comes from putting Christ at the centre of your lives."

With those words, Benedict XVI offered his final tweet, just hours before his resignation becomes official.

On Wednesday, he tweeted: "If only everyone could experience the joy of being Christian, being loved by God who gave his Son for us!"

Last Sunday, the tweet read: "In these momentous days, I ask you to pray for me and for the Church, trusting as always in divine Providence."