"...from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is." -Pope Benedict XVI, Declaratio

Latest News
Provided by News.va & Catholic News Service

• Black smoke at 11:40AM and a tranquil St. Peter's
• Homily of Cardinal Angelo Sodano
• Con clave: closed with a key
• Conclave to begin on March 12th
• New urns for conclave unveiled
• The cardinals thank Benedict XVI
• Cardinals begin pre-Conclave meetings at Vatican
• Sede Vacante: 1st meeting of the General Congregation announced
• Stamps and Coins of the Sede Vacante
• Cardinals' Catch-22: eager for conclave, but need time to choose well
• Sede Vacante: the See of Rome is Vacant
• Sede Vacante: Benedict XVI at Castel Gandolfo
• Three US cardinals discuss papal candidates, process of choosing pope
• Benedict pledges obedience to his successor

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Prayer for the Election of a Pope

O God, eternal shepherd, 
who govern your flock with unfailing care, 
grant in your boundless fatherly love 
a pastor for your Church 
who will please you by his holiness 
and to us show watchful care. 
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 
who lives and reigns with you 
   in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 
one God, for ever and ever. 
-Collect, Mass for the Election of a Pope

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Eligible Cardinal Electors

Alphabetical listing of members of the College of Cardinals, with biographies in English and Italian, who are eligible to vote in the Conclave to elect the new Holy Father

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Conclave Norms for the Election of the Roman Pontiff

• Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici Gregis On the Vacancy of the Apostolic See and the Election of the Roman Pontiff (Issued by Bl. John Paul II on 22 February 1996)
• Apostolic Letter De Aliquibus Mutationibus in Normis de Electione Romani Pontificis (Issued Motu Proprio by Benedict XVI on 11 June 2007) [French, Latin]
• Apostolic Letter Normas Nonnulla On Certain Modifications to the Norms Governing the Election of the Roman Pontiff (Issued Motu Proprio by Benedict XVI on 22 February 2013)

Resource Material & Information

Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops

• Inside the Conclave 
• How a New Pope Is Chosen (español)
  
• Papal Transitions (Office of Media Relations)
• Liturgical Notes and Resource Materials for Use Upon the Resignation of the Pope (Secretariat of Divine Worship)

Archdiocese of Washington

• Core Theology of the Papacy (español)
• Grades 9-12/Adult Catechetical Resource (español)
• Conclave at a Glance (español)
• Liturgical Resources

Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI, the Church, and the Future Pope

O Lord Jesus Christ, Supreme Pastor of Your Church, we thank you for the ministry of Pope Benedict XVI and the selfless care with which he has led us as Successor of Peter, and Your Vicar on earth.

Good Shepherd, who founded Your Church on the rock of Peter's faith and have never left Your flock untended, look with love upon us now, and sustain Your Church in faith, hope, and charity.

Grant, Lord Jesus, in Your boundless love for us, a new Pope for Your Church who will please you by his holiness and lead us faithfully to You, who are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Amen.

+ William E. Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore

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