CNS STORY: Period between popes includes many important elements

The whole CNS
public Web site
headlines, briefs
stories, etc,
represents less
than one percent
of the daily news
report.

Get all the news!

If you would like
more information
about the
Catholic News
Service daily
news report,
please contact
CNS at one of
the following:
cns@
catholicnews.com
or
(202) 541-3250

Copyright:

This material
may not
be published,
broadcast,
rewritten or
otherwise
distributed.

Copyright
(c) 2005
Catholic News
Service/U.S.
Conference of
Catholic Bishops.

CNS Story:

Period between popes includes many important elements

By Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Here are the most important elements of the "interregnum" or transition period between popes.

-- With the pope's death, the College of Cardinals assumes governance of the church.

-- The Roman Curia loses most cardinal supervisors and cannot act on new matters.

-- The College of Cardinals begins daily meetings at the Vatican to deal with limited church business, funeral and conclave arrangements.

-- The pope's body is displayed for homage by the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica, with funeral and burial four to six days after his death.

-- Under-80 cardinals enter into conclave 15-20 days after the pope's death.

-- Voting for a new pope proceeds with two ballots each morning and afternoon; a two-thirds majority is needed to elect.

-- If voting is inconclusive after 33 ballots (about 12 days), cardinals may decide to elect a new pope by simple majority.

-- Shortly after the pope is elected, his name is announced and he offers his first blessing to the world in St. Peter's Square.

END

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250