The bells tolled at Holy Name Cathedral as Pope Benedict XVI stepped down as the leader of the Catholic Church.
It's been more than 600 years since a Pope has resigned. Benedict spoke to the faithful in Rome on his final day as pontiff.
"Loving the church also means to have the courage to make difficult and arduous choices having always in front of us the good of the church and not ourselves," Benedict said.
In Chicago, parishioners of the Catholic church reacted to this historical and unique day.
"I think the church is at a point where things need to change, whether this is the catalyst for that to happen or not, I don't know. I appreciate his effort and I appreciate what he's doing," Robert Freeman said.
"I believe the Pope has to do what he has to do, for the benefit of the Catholic church. I think he's doing the right thing, he is a good man and I hope he gets his sainthood," Jason Reyes said.
People attending afternoon mass at Holy Name prayed for the former pontiff, now referred to as "emeritus pope."
The faithful in Chicago are looking ahead to who will become the next leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics.
"It's important that we have someone we feel that represents us and that is going to be a crucial voice in the world," Reyes said.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-06-13 17:45:09 GMT
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Even a fire hydrant is feeling the Blackhawks spirit, especially after Chicago's midnight victory over the Boston Bruins at the United Center in triple overtime.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:54:40 GMT
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
A man previously convicted of sex trafficking in Cook County has been charged again, this time for allegedly kidnapping a Minnesota woman and bringing her to Chicago to work in the sex trade.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:46 PM EDT2013-06-20 00:46:42 GMT
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Nine Lafayette Elementary parents and students have occupied a Lafayette Elementary school classroom, in a sit-in style protest against the school's closing.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:54:41 GMT
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Nine students at a Near North Side bilingual public elementary school were hospitalized Wednesday afternoon after a student accidentally discharged pepper spray.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:27 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:27:06 GMT
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
Now that obesity has been officially classified as a disease by the AMA, many are wondering how this will affect the 35.7 percent of Americans who are described as obese.
