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• FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS | 4:42 p.m. ET

The Roman Catholic Church has just entered the interregnum, the period after a pope dies and before another ascends the throne.

In that period, the pontiff’s body will lie in state, his funeral will be held and cardinals will gather for the conclave, the closed-door meeting to elect his successor.

Meantime, cardinals across the world already are making their travel plans for the conclave, where they make what is likely to be their most important decision as “Princes of the Church.”

And given the long tenure of John Paul, many will be voting for a new pope for the first time.

• BUSH REACTS | 4:10 p.m. ET

President George W. Bush hailed the John Paul on Saturday as a wise and fearless leader whose moral authority helped a democratic revolution sweep through Eastern Europe.

“The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home,” a somber Bush said in the White House residence, his wife, Laura, at his side.

John Paul, he said, was “a hero for the ages.”

The White House said it was waiting to hear from the Vatican on Sunday about funeral arrangements before announcing the U.S. delegation that will travel to the event.

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