In honor of the end of Pope Benedict XVI's reign as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, Saint Joseph Parish on High Street in Medford will be ringing its bells for eight minutes this afternoon.

According to an e-mail from a Catholic Archdiosese of Boston spokesperson, churches and institutions throughout the Archdiosese have been asked by Cardinal Sean O'Malley to ring their bells from 1:52 to 2 p.m.

The bells will ring for eight minutes to honor the Pope's eight years of service as the Holy Father.

Today is Pope Benedict's final day as Pope, as he announced earlier this month his intention to resign. He is the first Pope in over 600 years to resign.