Part 2 is here.
My Papa Benedict page.

A Beautiful "Online Scrapbook" of Pope Benedict XVI, from the Vatican (click to go there)

A Beautiful “Online Scrapbook” of Pope Benedict XVI, from the Vatican (click to go there)

Normas Nonnullas – Apostolic Letter Issued: Motu Proprio: Normas Nonnullas of the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI on Certain Modifications to the Norms Governing the Election of the Roman Pontiff – high school and up


Prayer for the Election of a New Pope, from the USCCB (click on pic to download PDF file)

Prayer for the Election of a New Pope, from the USCCB (click on pic to download PDF file)

Sede Vacante

28 February 2013 News Item: Sede Vacante: The See of Rome is Vacant – high school and up

Credits for images of Letter + Stamps: the Vatican Radio English page on Facebook

01 March 2013: The Letter Sent to the Cardinals (may be used for study of Italian and/or copywork – middle school and up)

letter

Translation provided by Dave Gibboni:

From the Vatican, March 1, 2013

Dear Cardinal,

According to the requirement of the Apostolic Constitution “Universi dominici gregis,” of 22 February 1996, number 19, in the case of the death of the Supreme Pontiff, I have the duty to communicate officially to Your Eminence the news of the vacancy of the Apostolic See through the renunciation presented by Pope Benedict XVI, and effective from last night, 28 February, at 8:00 pm Rome time.

To communicate that, I have the duty to call Your Eminence to the first of the General Congregations of the College of Cardinals, to take place Monday, March 4, at 9:30 am in the Paul VI Auditorium, Bishops’ Synod Room.

The General Congregations will continue then regularly until the complete number of Cardinal Electors is reached and the College of Cardinals decides then the date of the entrance into Conclave of the aforementioned Cardinal Electors, based on what was recently prescribed in the “Motu Proprio” of 22 February around some modifications of the norms related to the election of the Roman Pontiff.

On my part I am happy to take such an opportunity to extend my fraternal greetings.

Cordially in the Lord,
Angelo Card. Sodano

—-

To the most eminent Lord Cardinals
Their Sees


Stamps:

sede-vacante-250
sede-vacante-85
sede-vacante-200
sede-vacante-70

Here’s a coloring page I made for Nino: sede-vacante-70-coloring-page

First Day of Issue:
sede-vacante-stamps

Information on Stamps and Coins of the Sede Vacante – middle school and up


The Sede Vacante Logo:

sedevacantegraphic
PDF Coloring Page version

Cassocks await:

Credit:  Margie Prox Sindelar "And so they wait . . . At the appropriate time, white cassocks in three basic sizes and five sizes of the red shoes are made ready for whoever the new Pope will be. This is the "room of tears" which was formerly painted red, but the red paint was removed to reveal the frescoes." (Deacon Tom Lang)

Credit: Margie Prox Sindelar
“And so they wait . . . At the appropriate time, white cassocks in three basic sizes and five sizes of the red shoes are made ready for whoever the new Pope will be. This is the “room of tears” which was formerly painted red, but the red paint was removed to reveal the frescoes.” (Deacon Tom Lang)

Credit:  Margie Prox Sindelar In the second picture you see that there are other white cassocks available if necessary. In that same picture you can see five folded albs in various sizes and two stoles, one traditional and one modern. Both Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI chose the traditional stole to wear when announced to the world. (Deacon Tom Lang)

Credit: Margie Prox Sindelar
In the second picture you see that there are other white cassocks available if necessary. In that same picture you can see five folded albs in various sizes and two stoles, one traditional and one modern. Both Blessed Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI chose the traditional stole to wear when announced to the world. (Deacon Tom Lang)

The Conclave

Regina at A Living Garden is sharing a wonderful Papal Election Playset with Printables. — Excellent for preschoolers

Conclave Keys from 18th Century:

Image from Fr. Z's blog post Some Notes About the Upcoming Conclave:  (clicking on the picture will take you there)  http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/02/some-notes-about-the-upcoming-conclave/

Image from Fr. Z’s blog:
(clicking on the picture will take you there)
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2013/02/some-notes-about-the-upcoming-conclave/

The bedroom of a cardinal-elector (click on the pic to see the article at Catholic Review)

The bedroom of a cardinal-elector (click on the pic to see the article at Catholic Review)

Interactive Website on How a Pope is Elected, from Vatican Insider – elementary and up

You can adopt a (or several) cardinal(s) to pray for over here at Adopt a Cardinal.org

Here’s my adoptee:
cardinal

From Our Sunday Visitor: How the Church Chooses a Pope

Sorta funny story about cardinals googling other cardinals to research who to vote for at the conclave. Yikes! But hey, sign of the times.

Oh and HAHAHAHA! LOL’ing at this hilarious video made by Lutherans. (Yes, they’re making fun of Catholics, but I can see the humor/truth in it as well.) — high school and up, good for discussion

Video explaining Interregnum terminology, from EWTN.

Photo Album and brief profiles of the Cardinal Electors at the Conclave 2013 FB Page

Several designers have come up with helpful infographics on the conclave:
Disclaimer: I have not reviewed these carefully so don’t know how faithful they are. It might be a good exercise for high schoolers and up to spot errors or biases.

Infographics 1
Infographic from MSN
From Reuters
From GMA News (Philippines)
interesting FB and Twitter Infographic from Al Jazeera
Another from Elise at Kissing the Leper
an interactive set of infographics from the LA Times
Tim Meko’s Infographic for the Catholic News Service

More resources:

The Vatican's Official Sede Vacante Page

The Vatican’s Official Sede Vacante Page


ElectingthePope.net – How the papal conclave works, and other questions about the papacy – for middle school and up
A free downloadable guide to the Papal Conclave from the Catholic Truth Society. – high school and up

And finally, some Fantasy Conclave fun. 😀

burke
For Card. Burke fans, a very nice FB photo album.


And of course, more fun activities and crafts for all ages, from fellow homeschooling moms:

Chris C’s compilation at Campfires and Cleats
A super-extensive unit study from Willa at Take Up and Read
Pope Activities for Catholic Kids from Lacy at Catholic Icing
Black and White Smoke from The Happy Scientist, found via the 4Real Forum
Maryan’s collection of lapbook printables
An excellent Papal Unit Study Lapbook from Jessica at Shower of Roses
Paper Bishop Miter or Pope Hat from the Cotter family — perfect for little boys!
Learning About the Election of a New Pope from Jennifer at Catholic Inspired
Drool. “All About the Pope” Collection at Catholic Artworks – I want the “What Does the Pope Wear” Set!
Monica just shared this over at the forum: the floorplan for St. Peter’s Basilica


I’ve also updated my “A Tribute to Papa Bene” post to include more links, information and activities.


04 March 2013:

adding more newsy bits, etc.:

Famous last tweets before cardinals enter media blackout of conclave


My Papa Benedict page.