Stephen, the Vatican is denying the reports of the Pope’s death, and since at this stage they have no reason to conceal it, I tend to believe them. Still, the Pope obviously has very little time left. On your question regarding the conclave, truly anything is possible, partly because of changes that John Paul himself made to the rules. A two-thirds majority of the eligible cardinals used to be the requirement to elect a new pope. Now the rule is that if after a week the cardinals have not been able to secure a two-thirds majority for any one candidate, … Continue reading Pope John Paul II