Almighty God, our heavenly Father, let thy protection be upon all those who are in the service of our country; guard them from all harm and danger of body and soul; sustain and comfort those as home, especially in their hours of loneliness, anxiety, and sorrow; prepare the dying for death and the living for your service; give success to our arms on land and sea and in the air; and grant unto us and all nations a speedy, just and lasting peace. Amen.
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The Cardinals have imposed "media blackout" while they retire to mourn the pontiff and prayerfully consider the successor to Pope John Paul II, the Washington Post reports:
The College of Cardinals decided Saturday to halt interviews with the media as they begin preparations for their conclave to elect a new pope, the Vatican said. Until now, cardinals have been giving interviews and the clampdown is believed unprecedented.
The cardinals consider their restraint to be an act of responsibility as they prepare for the conclave that begins April 18, said Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls.
"The cardinals, after the funeral Mass of the Holy Father, began a more intense period of silence and prayer, in view of the conclave," Navarro-Valls said. "They unanimously decided to avoid interviews and encounters with the media." . . . Italian news media have reported that Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the dean of the College of Cardinals who has been mentioned as a possible successor to Pope John Paul II, had argued for the ban. Navarro-Valls said only that all the cardinals approved it.
The Next Pope: Facts to Ponder, Prelates to Watch, from Ignatius Insight. April 9, 2005. Originally appeared in the November 2003 issue of Catholic World Report. It has been revised and updated to reflect the current status of the College of Cardinals.
The Coming Conclave, from Ignatius Insight. Originally published in Catholic World Report, November 2003.
Pope John Paul II - A tribute from the Cardinal Ratzinger Fan Club consisting of articles, reflections and commentary over the course of his pontificate from a variety of sources.
Cardinal Arinze - A collection of articles and online resources about Cardinal Francis Arinze. (Much of this content was provided with the assistance of Catholic blogger, apologist and evangelist Dave Armstrong @ Cor ad cor loquitur).
Papabile, a 'daily read' for regular "commentary on the coverage."
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