Pope Benedict XVI appeared at his final weekly general audience today at St. Peter’s Square in front of an estimated 150,000 people recalling moments of "joy and light’’ as well as difficulty during his eight years as pontiff. Benedict, 85, said he decided to retire after realizing he didn’t have the "strength of mind or body" to carry on. Benedict meets tomorrow with cardinals for a final time before traveling to his retirement residence at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome. -- Lloyd Young ( 25 photos total)

Here in the northern hemisphere spring is but a rumor. Record snowfalls have taxed budgets and patience, and slowed transit from planes to pedestrians. Not that some aren't enjoying the abundance, as winter sports play out on beautiful frozen blankets of snow. Gathered here are images of people struggling with and enjoying their wintery blasts. -- Lane Turner (47 photos total)

US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan began in earnest in 2011 with President Obama's announcement in June. 10,000 troops were removed by the end of summer 2011, 23,000 additional troops by the end of summer 2012, and troops continue to come home at a steady pace as Afghan security forces move to protect their own country. The mission changes from "combat" to "support." By 2014, that transition will be complete with the Afghans responsible for their own security, but US troops will remain in country. How many is unclear. In this post, we share images from February in country (and a few from January 31st.) -- Paula Nelson ( 36 photos total)

The lure of a good story on a big screen remains universal. Though we watch movies in new ways made possible by mobile devices, streaming services, and private copies, the social experience of gathering in the dark to be transported together in collective imagination is undiminished. Almost every country has an awards ceremony or film festival, making the upcoming Academy Awards just one of an endless parade for film lovers. Gathered here are images showing us watching, making, and celebrating the motion picture. -- Lane Turner (40 photos total)

For over 55 years, the World Press Photo contest has encouraged the highest standards in photojournalism. The contest is judged by leading experts in visual journalism who represent various aspects of the profession and the composition of the jury is changed from year to year. The prize-winning images are assembled into an exhibition that travels to 45 countries over the course of a year and over two million people go to a hundred different venues to see the images. The winners themselves uphold the foundation's simple mission statement: We exist to inspire understanding of the world through quality photojournalism. A sampling of the winning images follows. You can browse more amazing content on World Press Photo. -- Paula Nelson (NOTE: There will be no post on Monday in observance of the holiday.) ( 18 photos total)

Pre-Lenten celebrations around the globe, including Carnival and Mardi Gras, wrapped up yesterday before the marking of Ash Wednesday today. Historians say the tradition dates back to Roman times, when the newly converted Christians retained vestiges of their pagan festival, "Lupercalia," as a period of celebration before the penance during the 40 days of Lent. -- Lloyd Young ( 46 photos total)

Much of the US Northeast from New York to Maine spent the last few days digging out after blizzard conditions and record-setting snowfalls left hundreds of thousands temporarily without power in winter temperatures. The storm surge during high tides at the height of the storm caused beach erosion and flooded coastal towns with ice-filled waters and rocks washed in from the sea. -- Lloyd Young ( 47 photos total)

The celebration of the Lunar New Year is a phenomenon as global as various diaspora allows. Perhaps most well-known in the West as a Chinese celebration, the lunisolar calendar is observed in many more places than just that nation. That said, the Chinese observation is unique in that the holiday transforms the nation into a river of humanity, with a 40-day travel season that sees hundreds of millions of people board trains for home. Gathered here are images of preparations and celebrations in many parts of the world. -- Lane Turner (42 photos total)

An estate owned by descendants of the 19th century British aristocrat for whom Earl Grey tea was named is turning history on its head by selling English tea to China. The Tregothnan estate in the southwestern English county of Cornwall started selling tea from its tiny plantation in 2005 and last year produced about 10 tons of tea and infusions. Current owners (and residents) of Tregothnan, Evelyn and Katharine Boscawen think they've found a niche to exploit in exporting English tea to China and India. The long history of immersing tea leaves in hot water for a refreshing drink is not lost on the Boscawens. By the Victorian Era, taking tea had become a regular ritual at almost every level of society from elaborate afternoon tea for the rich in country houses to tea and gruel for the working poor as depicted by Charles Dickens.Tregothnan has projected 2013 sales to be $3.14 million, a drop in the proverbial bucket compared to the world's largest black tea exporter, Kenya, predicting $1.33 billion in sales for 2013. -- Paula Nelson ( 26 photos total)

For this edition of our look at daily life we share images from Pakistan, Turkey, Belarus, Germany, El Salvador, Spain, Portugal and a few others from around the world. -- Lloyd Young ( 38 photos total)

In "Love and a Question" by Robert Frost, the poet writes "Let us look at the sky, And question what of the night to be, Stranger, you and I." There may or may not be answers there for us or for Frost's bridegroom, but the simple pleasure of gazing skyward is a profitable pursuit. Photographers have chosen the sky as a subject for as long as the camera has existed. Atmospheric and celestial phenomenon create an endless canvas for hungry eyes. -- Lane Turner (23 photos total)

In the United States in 1960, the average life expectancy (average for all races and sexes) was 69.7 years. In 2010, that number had increased to 78.7 years. How prescient it was for entrepreneur Del Webb, in 1959, to build Sun City, Arizona - the first active retirement community for the over-55? Webb predicted that retirees would flock to a community where they were given more than just a house with a rocking chair in which to sit and wait to die. Today's residents keep their minds and bodies active by socializing at over 120 clubs with activities such as square dancing, ceramics, roller-skating, computers, cheerleading, racquetball and yoga. There are 38,500 residents in the community with an average age 72.4 years. -- Paula Nelson ( 27 photos total)