After declining further medical treatment last night, his holiness, John Paul, II, died today. The Teaching Company has made two complimentary lectures on papal succession available here. Text resources are here. 117 members of the College of Cardinals will be eligible to vote on John Paul's successor. He reigned for 26 years, history's 3rd longest pontificate. A consequence of that fact is that all the Cardinals who are eligible to vote have been appointed by him and none of them have any prior experience in electing a Pope. This is a fascinating process to watch. Thanks to Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit for the tips.
Update: Armand Knight and Jakob Oehlenschlager point out in comments that Cardinals Baum, Ratzinger and Sin were appointed by John Paul II's predecessors, thus have prior experience in the election of a pope, and are still young enough to participate in the choice of John Paul's successor. Thanks for the correction.

Van L. Hayhow - 4/4/2005

Thanks

Ralph E. Luker - 4/4/2005

Van, I believe that the 80 age limit is one of the internal reforms that John Paul sponsored. It makes a lot of difference because there are now about 160 Cardinals, the largest number in the history of the Church, and only 117 of them are under 80.

Van L. Hayhow - 4/4/2005

Ralph:
I noticed that in the many stories about how the next pope will be selected, it has been said that only cardinals under 80 years old will be allowed to vote. I don't remember this age requirement. Has been around forever and I just missed it? Or is it something new this time? Thanks.

Jakob ?hlenschl?ger - 4/2/2005

William Wakefield Baum might be the 3rd cardinal. But I could be wrong.

Ralph E. Luker - 4/2/2005

Thanks _very much_ for the correction.

Armand Knight - 4/2/2005

Cardinals Ratzinger and Sin were named cardinals by Pope Paul VI, so there will be at least two voting members of the conclave that have gone through this before.