Today is Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent for the Christian faith. If you can't make it to your local house of worship, there are several locations in the city where you can observe the holiday.
Beginning at 6 a.m., Holy Name Cathedral on State and Superior applied ashes to those who came for the weekday masses. Urban Village Church took Ash Wednesday to the streets, offering ashes at various locations including Daley Plaza at 8 a.m. and numerous train stations throughout the day.
The season of Lent began for Roman Catholics on the heels of news that Pope Benedict XVI will resign at the end of February. The 85-year-old pontiff made his first public comments on Wednesday morning, since his resignation announcement on Monday.
He told the faithful, who gathered in the thousands at Vatican City, that he would be stepping down for "the good of the church."
Benedict basked in a standing ovation that lasted more than a minute.
The Vatican says the pope will spend his final day as pontiff attending a morning farewell ceremony with his cardinals, then fly off by helicopter in the early evening to his papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
That timetable means Benedict will be far from the Vatican when he ceases being pope at 8 p.m. on Feb. 28.
Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said Wednesday that no formal or symbolic act was needed to make his resignation official at that time, because Benedict had already done all that was required to resign under church law by affirming he had taken the decision freely.
Benedict's final official acts as pope will include audiences with the Romanian and Guatemalan presidents this week and the Italian president on Feb. 23.
Cardinal Francis George will travel to Rome to participate in the conclave that will elect a new pope before the Easter holiday, on March 31.
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.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:55 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:55:01 GMT
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Forecasters say hot weather could give way to violent storms across parts of Illinois and are warning residents to be prepared for strong winds, hail and even tornadoes.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 10:36 AM EDT2013-06-19 14:36:33 GMT
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
After collecting tens of thousands of dollars for themselves on Wednesday, members of the General Assembly plan to kick the can of public employee pension reform down the road for at least one more month.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:48 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:48:27 GMT
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
The body of a white male was found floating in Lake Michigan off the 39th Street beach Wednesday morning. Neither the age nor the identity of the man have been confirmed by Chicago police.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:44 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:44:38 GMT
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Chicago is at the tipping point, as the showdown continues over CPS closings. The final bell will ring for more than half of the public schools scheduled to close on Friday, under CPS' reorganization plan.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:12 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:12:41 GMT
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
Chicago Public Schools wrap up classes this week, and that means some of the schools will only be open for a few more days before they are closed as part of the CPS 5-year reorganization plan.
