TT in mourning

Close to 400 Roman Catholics in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday began nine days of mourning following the death yesterday of Pope John Paul the second. Churches throughout the country will hold special masses and prayers to mark the occasion. A successor to the Pope is not likely to be elected for another two weeks, Roman Catholic sources in Port-of-Spain said yesterday.

One hundered and twenty Cardinals under the age of 80 will meet in conclave to elect the new Pope. The source also disclosed that immediately on the passing of a Pope the Heads of the Vatican’s twenty departments in Rome go out of office until possible reappointment by a new Pope. Only three departmental heads, including the Chamberlain continue in office while the other departments are run by secretaries.