Upon the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI the Catholic Church is in a state known as sede vacante - the Vacant See. It is a time which asks all of the faithful to turn to prayer in which we ask the Holy Spirit to help the Cardinals in their awesome task of choosing the new pope.

During this time also remember Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in your prayers. He has made a very difficult decision for the benefit of the Church and will need our support as he makes this transition. To understand some of the changes that he will experience in his life please read this article from the Vatican News.

To help you understand the transtitional state of our Church community we are providing the following links for you:

Information from the Vatican
Apostolica Sedes Vacans
Benedict XVI service in photos book

Information from the USCCB
Interregnum
Statement from Cardinal Dolan

Other Information
How we elect a pope
How to speak to children about the Pope's resingation