The eternal and the new

With this morning's funeral for Pope John Paul II, another chapter in religious history has ended. Now the attention of the Roman Catholic church turns to the 117 cardinals who are eligible to vote in the conclave, which begins April 18, to elect the successor to St. Peter, the church's first pope.

Never before has one man's death generated such a global response. Up to 5 million mourners -- the faithful, the curious, the gawkers -- are providing an unprecedented test of Italian officials to house and feed a throng greater than the population of the Eternal City while providing basic medical care and sanitation needs.

As many as 2 million of those converging on Rome were from the pope's native Poland, a sign of the high regard in which John Paul II was held by his countrymen.

And modern communication capabilities are playing an enormous role inside Vatican City. Of the millions of mourners lined up to make their way through St. Peter's Square, most have cell phones. Millions more around the world who are unable to stand outside the doors of St. Peter's Basilica are able to talk with those who are there, describing history as it unfolds and sharing their emotions.

The instant communication of cell phones also is posing a security problem for the conclave of cardinals, who are sworn to secrecy during their deliberations. Although the princes of the church have vowed to maintain silence, it will be interesting to see how the world learns of a new pope: from a puff of white smoke or by instant messaging.

Such concerns are a stark contrast to the ancient rituals that guide the change in Roman Catholic leadership -- rituals that have largely been reinforced by John Paul II and expected to be upheld by his successor.