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, May 16 2013 9:49 PM EDT2013-05-17 01:49:53 GMT
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
Mayor Emanuel will celebrate two years in office by unveiling "Elevate Chicago" on Thursday, a series of construction projects to improve Navy Pier and McCormick Place.
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, May 22 2013 7:03 PM EDT2013-05-22 23:03:10 GMT
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
The Chicago Board of Education made its final decision Wednesday afternoon - to close 48 Chicago Public Schools in June, with one school delayed a year and to save five others.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:45:07 GMT
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Illinois public schools that teach sex education will have to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases instead of a curriculum focused on abstinence.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 5:50 PM EDT2013-05-22 21:50:46 GMT
The attorney for an 87-year-old woman who accuses Donald Trump of cheating her in a skyscraper condo deal told Chicago jurors on Wednesday that the "Apprentice" star lied on the witness stand.
Jurors have withdrawn to begin deliberations about whether Donald Trump cheated an 87-year-old who claims the "Apprentice" star cheated her in property deal.
