MANCHESTER - As Pope Benedict XVI ends his Pontificate on Thursday, Bishop Libasci will celebrate a special Mass Thursday at St. Joseph Cathedral Chapel at 12:10 p.m.

The bishop also requests that all daily Masses celebrated across New Hampshire before 2 p.m. Thursday be celebrated for the Pope.

In addition, Bishop Libasci is asking that church bells throughout the Diocese of Manchester be rung in unison as a sign of affection and gratitude for the Holy Father.

In recognition of his eight year Pontificate, bells will ring for eight minutes, ending at 2 p.m.

These bells will join those of other churches throughout the United States and Europe that will ring as Pope Benedict resigns the Chair of Peter at 8 p.m. Rome time.

For the latest on the Diocese of Manchester during this papal transition, visit catholicnh.org and follow on facebook.com/dioceseofmanchester and Twitter @catholicnh.