Parma Catholics react to Pope Benedict XVI's retirement

PARMA, Ohio - Parma Catholics reacted Wednesday night to the retirement of Pope Benedict XVI. The pontiff will step down at 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Cleveland time.

"We feel bad because we loved our Pope," Clara Selepena said as she stood outside St. Charles Borromeo Church. "But he did the right thing if he felt that he couldn't accomplish the things that he'd like to do."

The Pope's retirement isn't expected to have an affect on Cleveland-area Catholics. Rev. Roger Gries, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland, said the transition will go smoothly.

"The one thing that Catholics will notice beginning Friday morning is that the Pope will not be mentioned in the Eucharistic Prayer during mass," he said.

"They will just mention the local bishop. They won't mention the Pope at all, until the new Pope is elected. Once the new Pope is elected, the next morning he'll be mentioned in the mass."

"We just keep him in our prayers," said Louise Gillen, "and pray for the next Pope we're going to have."