Pope John Paul II has died

[TS Zack]

Italian AP has stated that the Pope has lost consciousness.

[Brent]

VATICAN CITY, April 1 (Reuters) - With Pope John Paul gravely ill, the Roman Catholic Church is preparing for the elaborate rituals that mark the end of one papacy and the start of the next.



Here is a guide to what is due to happen when the Pope dies:



** Once a pope dies, his camerlengo (chamberlain) officially confirms his death, seals his private apartment and prepares the funeral and the conclave to elect a successor.



** The camerlengo and three elected cardinal assistants decide when the pope's body is to be taken into St. Peter's Basilica for public viewing. They also make sure the Pope's "Fisherman's Ring" and his lead seal are broken so they cannot be used by anyone else. No autopsy is performed.



** Funeral rites last 9 days, with the date of the funeral and burial to be decided by the cardinals between the fourth and sixth day after his death. Popes are laid to rest in the crypt underneath St. Peter's Basilica. They are traditionally buried in a casket of cypress wood which is sealed inside a larger lead casket and then covered with an outer pine box.



** The College of Cardinals oversees day-to-day business during the interregnum. Their power is limited and much of the central Church administration grinds to a halt.



** The conclave to elect a new pope starts in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel between 15 and 20 days after the death. The cardinals, who are confined to the Vatican for the duration of the conclave, decide the exact day. For the first time, they will not live in the Chapel or nearby rooms in the Vatican Museum, but in a new residence on Vatican grounds.



** 120 cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. They need a majority of at least two-thirds plus one to elect him. When the conclave has elected a pope, he is asked if he accepts and which name he wishes to take. Once this is done, he dons papal vestments -- tailors keep several sizes ready -- and sits on a throne in the Sistine Chapel to receive the other cardinals who file up to pay homage and pledge obedience.



** The world will know a pope has been elected when an official burns the paper ballots with special chemicals to make white smoke pour out of the Chapel's chimney. They use other chemicals to make black smoke indicating an inconclusive vote.

** Soon afterwards, the dean of the College of Cardinals steps on to the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica to announce to the crowds in the square "Habemus Papam" ("We have a Pope"). The new pope then appears in his papal robes and gives the crowd his blessing.

[cycloneye]

The above photo is his last public appearence to the world in public last Wednesday at window his last one.

[Brent]

Anybody else here have tears in their eyes?

I know he's old and he has had a long life; but it's different with him, you know, because his imprint on this world has been so tremendous and so positive and to have him not with us anymore......and we saw how much he loved us....just two days ago. He tried to speak. He cares about us so much.

This is awful. And I'm not even a catholic and not particularly religious. I just think of his imprint on the world, ending communism, his connection with young people....this is a horrible day.

Hopefully, a miracle will somehow happen

BREAKING NEWS BTW: VATICAN CALLS EMERGENCY PRAYER SERVICE

I'm feeling the same way... I was this way when I found out Reagan was about dead too. I'm not Catholic or very religious either... I don't even go to church often.

[Dee Bee]

Yesterday, one of the words used to describe the Pope's condition was "serene." This may sound unusual to many people, but I could identify with that word. I had the privilege of sitting with my dad the morning his body made its final shut-down from Alzheimer's. As his blood pressure dropped and respiration became slower and slower, although outward communication had discontinued several days before, he did, indeed, emit serenity as I held his hand and told him how much I and everyone loved him and that it was certainly OK to leave this world. Even though I am not in agreement with many aspects of the Roman Catholic religion, I pray that the Pope, too, can sense how much he is loved as a human being and that it is OK for his soul, too, to leave this physical existence.

[jkt21787]

One report says the bronze doors outside are in the process of being closed. I have heard that this is the ultimate sign.

[sunny]

One report says the bronze doors outside are in the process of being closed. I have heard that this is the ultimate sign.

[weatherlover427]

This is not a good sign at all, I wish him the best. Hoping for the best and praying for it as well.

[Brent]

Vatican to make another statement shortly.

Sounds like an announcement to me. Only be 40 minutes since the last "statement". Usually there's a few hours.

[Skywatch_NC]

I wonder if the Pope has any living family members...siblings or cousins?

[Brent]

One report says the bronze doors outside are in the process of being closed. I have heard that this is the ultimate sign.

MSNBC just reported it... but was being real cautious about reading anymore into it. Doesn't sound good and if it's true, then I think he has died.

[canegrl04]

CNN says his breathing has become shallow

CBS news says kidneys failing,as are other organs. Looks like his death is imminent.

[HurricaneGirl]

The above photo is his last public appearence to the world in public last Wednesday at window his last one.

God Bless you Pope John Paul.

[sunny]

I want to get to a church so bad - but I am the only one here in my department.

[cycloneye]

Ansa News Agency is reporting that medical sources are saying there is no more hope for the pope.

[TexasStooge]

This does not look too good!

[James]

[sunny]

I remember when Pope John Paul II came to New Orleans in 1987. I was SO excited!! I was just remembering how the Pope wanted to see the Mississippi River, I thought that was sweet! Maybe that sounds stupid to some...

[TexasStooge]

R.I.P. Pope John Paul.

At least a teenage Choir from Dallas got to sing to him a couple of weeks ago.

[Brent]

He has died.