Pope Benedict XVI holds his last public Mass

Pope Benedict XVI held his last public Mass on Wednesday.

The pope, who announced his decision to resign earlier this week, spoke on the controversy that plagued his career in the Catholic Church.

"We can reveal the face of the church and how the face is, at times, disfigured.," he said. "I am thinking in particular of the sins against the unity of the church."

The 85 year old pope, who cited illness of the body and mind, will be the first to resign in over 500 years.

His last day will be on February 28.