TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL)--The pope is saying his final goodbyes after 8 years of service.
Inside of the Florida Catholic Conference's conference room, a picture of now Pope Emeritus Benedict with Florida bishops taken in Rome.
It was a historical decision he made the first time in some 600 years a pope has stepped down.
Michael Sheedy with the Florida Catholic Conference says during the 8 years benedict served many people have come to love him and appreciate him.
"He leaves a great legacy and we're going to miss that but we also have a certain expectation that the college of cardinals will elect a great successor and we'll go forward," said Sheedy.
Sheedy says they're looking forward to seeing who the next pope will be. He says he hopes the person will be a man of deep prayer like Pope Benedict XVI.
