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.
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.
Tuesday, February 5 2013 3:09 PM EST2013-02-05 20:09:54 GMT
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Millions and millions of people tuned in to watch the Super Bowl, and including our friends serving overseas. Thousands of Chicago-style pizzas were sent overseas Tuesday.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:00:57 GMT
An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly "sexted" risque photos to each other.
An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly "sexted" risque photos to each other.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:16 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:16:28 GMT
A Lake County jury has convicted James Ealy of strangling his former boss during a 2006 robbery at the north suburban Burger King restaurant where he once worked.
A Lake County jury has convicted James Ealy of strangling his former boss during a 2006 robbery at the north suburban Burger King restaurant where he once worked.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:40 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:40:48 GMT
Several military families were honored in Orland Park on Friday, and got to meet country music superstar Tim McGraw. Five of those families are from the Chicago area, and they were excited to meet him.
Several military families were honored in Orland Park on Friday, and got to meet country music superstar Tim McGraw. Five of those families are from the Chicago area, and they were excited to meet him.
