| |
| | NPR : The Papal Transition: An Overview |
 | | When the pope dies, the prefect of the papal household (Bishop James Harvey) informs the camerlengo or chamberlain who must verify his death in the presence of the papal master of ceremonies, the cleric prelates of the Apostolic Camera, and the secretary of the Apostolic Camera who draws up a death certificate. |
 | | The prohibition against discussing papal succession while the pope is still alive dates back to Felix IV (526-530), who instructed the clergy and the Roman Senate to elect his archdeacon, Boniface, as his successor. |
 | | (In the current case, the conclave is scheduled to begin April 18.) The actual election is in the Sistine Chapel, with the cardinals living in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a Vatican residence with 108 suites and 23 single rooms, which is vacated of its normal residents during a conclave. |
| www.npr.org /templates/story/story.php?storyId=4570895 (4563 words) |
|