Until the Conclave . . .

• 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.

• Novena for the Repose of the Soul of John Paul II (in English); also in Spanish, from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. [.pdf format]

• 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."