I don't think Ratzinger will be elected either. His age is a factor. Arinze would be great, but I fear that won't happen either. I just hope that the next pope is as passionate about life issues and restoring Mass as Arinze and Ratzinger are.
Today at wrok we were talking and among a good number of my co-workers, I was one of the few who remembers the last time a pope ws elected. So many had no idea how it was even done. One girl insisted that the period of mourning was 4-6 days. This is going to be very interesting.
If I am correct -- I think it is nine days of funerals.
The nine days, or novendiales of masses, is a tradition dating back to ancient Rome, just as is the crushing of the Papal ring. It was accorded to Roman citizens from antiquity.
However, in the past 40 years, as with many other things, there have been numerous changes to the ancient tradition.