Green Bay Diocese honors Pope Benedict XVI

GREEN BAY - As Catholics counted down the hours to Pope Benedict's retirement, church leaders around the world held Masses in tribute.

Bishop David Ricken of the Green Bay Catholic Diocese held a Thanksgiving service at Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral in Green Bay.

Church leaders filed into the sanctuary with Ricken pausing for a moment by a photograph of the pope.

With the pews filled with the Catholic faithful, he began Mass with a short prayer for Benedict.

"We give thanks this day for his years of service and ask your blessing upon him," prayed Ricken.

As 200 people listened, Ricken reflected on the 85-year-old pontiff's retirement during his homily.

"I had a chance to visit with him very, very briefly at an audience, a general audience, and I did notice his health was failing. He was becoming more frail at any rate," Ricken said.

Ricken assured parishioners the Pope's reason for taking this next step in life does not mean he's abandoning the church.

"He has had the courage and the humility to say, 'I love the church, and through prayer, I discern this is the best way to serve the church in the future.'"

Ricken said he has mixed feelings about the pope stepping down after eight years.

"I'm really going to miss him. I think he's been a great leader for the church, but it's also a moment that the new leader picks right up where he left off and moves forward in a new way," Ricken said.

Parishioners we spoke with also felt bittersweet about the pontiff's retirement. They say they're looking forward to a new pope who possesses similar qualities.

"They will definitely need someone that is approachable, has to be someone that the people can relate to and see that he's like a spiritual father, like Bishop Ricken," said Carol Masuga of Green Bay.

Ricken made note of the fact it's been 600 years since the church has experienced a pope retiring, adding it's a little unnerving to see this kind of transition happening. Some parishioners disagreed.

"We're being guided by the Holy Spirit. And we trust the Lord will give us the right man," said Shirley Kegel of Green Bay.

At 1:00 p.m., Catholic churches in Green Bay rang their bells to symbolize the faithful will miss Pope Benedict, but that they're also praying for the church and the cardinals as they gather to elect a new pope.