Vatican Doctrine: 'During the sede vacante, the period between a pope's death or resignation and the election of his successor, 'the day-to-day' governance of the Church as a whole is in the hands of the College of Cardinals.'

'Sede vacante; ' that rare moment in time, granting the august body complete authority of 'day-to-day governance' of the Church in its entirety. The election of a Pontiff, simply one of its many obligatory Conclave responsibilities. Whether the varied ills current within the Church have been addressed, we may never know. In the excitement of the hour, one is left to wonder about the Church and its future amidst the moral failings so evident.

James B. Earley

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/smoke-black-smoke-white-smoke-screen-vatican-city/