Conclave News to be Provided by Pope Weblog: Conclave Edition

The Pope Blog, an unofficial weblog devoted to covering news regarding the Holy Father ( http://thepopeblog.blogspot.com/ ), has announced that it will offer full coverage of all of the events at Vatican City in the coming weeks as the Papal election process unfolds. The blog's two main authors, ("Boney" and "Jimbo"), have been blogging about Pope John Paul II since June 2004. Now that the Pope is passing away, the two have announced that they will offer a "Conclave Edition" of their popular blog. The new edition will act as a clearinghouse for news reports from the Conclave. The blog will also offer insightful commentary and analysis.

The Pontiff has been experiencing severe health problems for the last several weeks. In February, he was twice rushed to the hospital and recently underwent a tracheostomy to aid in his breathing.

Further complications have been witnessed in the last 48 hours, including a urinary tract infection, high fever, and heart failure. On Thursday night, the Pope received Holy Viaticum (Eucharist reserved for the dying) and the Sacrament of the Annointing of the Sick (see http://thepopeblog.blogspot.com/2005/04/pope-loses-consciousness.html). On Friday morning, the Pope's kidney system began to fail.

After the Pope dies, the Cardinals from around the world will be called to the Holy See to participate in the Papal election process, also known as conclave. The term "conclave" comes from the Latin "cum clavi" (meaning "with a key"). It is so called because the election is secretive and occurs behind the closed doors of the Sistine Chapel. Only members of the College of Cardinals are permitted in the area. Neither radio, nor television, nor newspapers are permitted.

The Pope Blog is a not-for-profit website owned and authored by Andy Hagans ("Boney") and Jimmy Atkinson ("Jimbo") from the University of Notre Dame. The two will continue to serve the latest news and information regarding the Pope, Vatican, and conclave. The Pope Blog is available at http://thepopeblog.blogspot.com/ .