Tonight in our prayer time together, our college group prayed for the catholics of the world and what they are going through with the death of the Pope. This man was definitely a very influential leader of the most solidified world movement in history. So tonight I've been reading up on what happens now that he has died, and there are some things that strike me.

In 1996 the Pope wrote up a document called the Universi Dominici Gregis which laid out the rules for what was to happen when he died. By his own declaration, the pope is to

• Be taken to the Vatican basilica to lie in state for the faithful to pay homage.


• Have funeral rites celebrated for nine consecutive days. (They are to observe these faithfully.)


• Have his funeral take place in St Peter's Square and heads of state and government and religious leaders from around the world be invited.


• Not have any photographs or recordings be made of his on his sickbed or after death, unless he is adorned with his pontifical vestments.

The Universi Dominici Gregis is interesting because it lays out very specific rules for both the funeral arrangements of the Pope and the election of a new one. It all comes to a head with the assumption of "full and supreme power over the universal Church." Then stipulations are made for the specific paying of "homage and obedience" to the new Supreme Pontiff. And to wrap it up, the Pope makes sure to declare absoluely null and void any other dispositions that may be made regarding these matters, even if they may be worthy of consideration. The Pope declares that these wishes of his to be accepted and followed by every member of the Universal Church.

The Supreme Pontiff, by catholic doctrine, recognizes the apostle Peter as the first Pope. Peter is an interesting character to read about in the Bible, especially in stories like this:

"As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence. But Peter made him get up. 'Stand up,' he said, 'I am only a man myself.'” Acts 10:25-26

For some reason we don't have any record of Peter having written a Universi Dominici Gregis. I wonder why that would be.