By Ben Brumfield and Ben Wedeman, CNN
updated 3:49 AM EST, Sun February 24, 2013
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- NEW: Crowds are expected to pack St. Peter's Square at noon to pray with the pope
- The Italian press has been abuzz with new clergy sex allegations
- The Vatican vehemently denied the allegations
- Benedict said he is stepping down due to weakness caused by aging
Vatican City (CNN) -- Huge crowds are expected to pack St. Peter's Square as Pope Benedict XVI delivers his final Sunday blessing, even as rumors of a sex scandal swirl as he prepares to step down.
The pope is scheduled to deliver his final Angelus, a common Catholic prayer celebrating the Incarnation of Christ, at noon local time (6:00 a.m. ET) as he has routinely done from the window of his apartment overlooking the square.
The Italian press has been abuzz in recent days with allegations that gay clergy may have made themselves vulnerable to blackmail by male prostitutes, setting off speculation that a brewing scandal may have triggered Benedict's resignation.
The Vatican vehemently denied the allegations on Saturday.
Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone said it was "deplorable" that as the time for the Roman Catholic cardinals to elect a new pope approaches, a rash of "often unverified, unverifiable or completely false news stories" has appeared.
As the first pontiff to step down in six centuries, Benedict said he is resigning "because of advanced age." He is 85.
"Strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me," Benedict said when he announced his retirement this month.
Shortly after the pope's announcement nearly two weeks ago, a different rumor began making its way through the Italian press: Allegations that the pontiff's decision was linked to a medical procedure to replace the battery in his pacemaker. A Vatican spokesman dismissed the idea at the time.
CNN Senior Vatican Analyst John Allen has said that clergy members trying to cover up their sex lives may well be creating problems in the Church, as they have in the past. But he believes that the current unsourced speculation in the Italian press should be taken with a grain of salt.
Several years ago, Benedict suggested he would be open to resigning should his health fail, Allen has said.
The pope routinely delivers a short sermon before chanting the Angelus with the gathered crowd on Sundays.
It begins with: "The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary. And she conceived by the power of Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus."
Sunday's Angelus will not be Benedict's final public appearance, as he is scheduled to hold a general audience on Wednesday, according to the Vatican.
He will hold a "meet and greet" with cardinals late Thursday morning before stepping down the same evening, the Vatican website said.
Benedict was dean of the College of Cardinals in 2005 when he became the sixth German to be picked as pope, albeit the first since the 11th century.
At the time, the church was facing several pressing issues, including a growing crisis over the church's role in handling molestation accusations against priests around the world.
The pontiff will leave office at 8 p.m. on February 28, two-and-a-half weeks after he shocked the Roman Catholic world by announcing his resignation.
The Vatican has said a new pope will be in place for the Church's Easter celebrations on March 31.
Benedict will begin his retirement in the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo before he withdraws to a monastery being built for him in Vatican City, a Vatican spokesman has said.
He will then lead a cloistered life, the spokesman said.
CNN's Ben Wedeman reported from Vatican City and Ben Brumfield reported and wrote from Atlanta. CNN's Hada Messia and Ben Wedeman contributed to this report
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