wut

Traditional Vatican turns to e-mail to announce pope's death

The pope's death marks the beginning of a carefully scripted ritual that culminates in the election of a new leader for the world's 1 billion Roman Catholics.

It starts with a formal deathbed pronouncement in Latin, that the pope is "truly" dead.

The Vatican's chamberlain, now Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo of Spain, verifies the papal death -- which in the past was done by striking the pope's forehead with a silver hammer. The chamberlain, or camerlengo, then calls out to the pope three times by his baptismal name. When the pope does not respond, the camerlengo then announces "the pope is dead."

He destroys the symbols of the pope's authority: the fisherman's ring and the dies used to make lead seals for apostolic letters. He seals off the pope's bedroom and study, takes charge of the Holy See's property and arranges the funeral and the conclave at which the College of Cardinals will elect a new pope.

*shrug* |-| well who am i to judge?

it is sad to see the pope go. being only 24 years old, he was my first pope. seemed like a nice guy. didn't agree with everything though. wouldn't have minded playing some mario kart with him. his 1979 1 million person mass did take place a block from my apt which is kinda interesting. he'll be alright.