The Ins-and-Outs of Papal Transition

My prayer is that Pope John Paul II recovers and lives much longer. But as the end approaches, many people--both Catholic and non-Catholic--will start to ask many questions about how a new Pope is selected, who and what is a "cardinal," and so forth. Thomas Nash has forwarded a very helpful link to a page created by Rev. Thomas J. Reese, S.J., editor in chief ofAmerica magazine, that addresses many questions, including:

• When did John Paul II last appoint New Cardinals?
• What happens when the pope gets sick?
• Can a pope resign?
• Will John Paul II resign?
• What happens if the pope goes into a coma?
• What would happen if a pope became mentally disabled?
• What could the church do if the Apostolic See becomes impeded?
• What happens when the pope dies?
• When is the pope's funeral?
• Who runs the church between the pope's death and the election of a new pope?
• Is there campaigning prior to the conclave?
• When and where is the conclave held?
• Where does the word "conclave" come from?
• Who is permitted in the conclave?
• Who are the cardinal electors?

...and many more. A very helpful page. Thanks, Thomas, for sending it along.