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Vatican may bring forward conclave for next pope Vatican may bring forward conclave for next pope
(35 minutes later)
The Vatican is studying calls from cardinals to hold a papal conclave earlier than planned, after Pope Benedict XVI steps down on 28 February.The Vatican is studying calls from cardinals to hold a papal conclave earlier than planned, after Pope Benedict XVI steps down on 28 February.
Under current rules, the election can be held on 15 March at the earliest, to allow cardinals enough time to travel to Rome.Under current rules, the election can be held on 15 March at the earliest, to allow cardinals enough time to travel to Rome.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said officials were examining if a rule change was possible.Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said officials were examining if a rule change was possible.
Benedict XVI, 85, announced his shock resignation last Monday.Benedict XVI, 85, announced his shock resignation last Monday.
The outgoing head of the Catholic Church cited his advanced age as the reason for stepping down.The outgoing head of the Catholic Church cited his advanced age as the reason for stepping down.
Pope Benedict's successor will be chosen by 117 cardinal-electors during a secret election in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.Pope Benedict's successor will be chosen by 117 cardinal-electors during a secret election in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.
The vote needs to be held before Easter Sunday, which is on 31 March, one of the holiest days in the Christian calendar. The Vatican would like a new pontiff in place before the start of Holy Week on 24 March - one of the holiest events in the Christian calendar, which culminates in Easter Sunday on 31 March.
According to the Holy See's constitution, a 15-20 day waiting period must be observed after the papacy becomes vacant.According to the Holy See's constitution, a 15-20 day waiting period must be observed after the papacy becomes vacant.
The rule is in place to allow "all those [cardinals] who are absent'' sufficient time to make the journey to Rome, Mr Lombardi said.The rule is in place to allow "all those [cardinals] who are absent'' sufficient time to make the journey to Rome, Mr Lombardi said.
But the prospect of bringing forward the date had been raised by a number of cardinals, he added.But the prospect of bringing forward the date had been raised by a number of cardinals, he added.
And given that they already knew when Pope Benedict was stepping down, they would have plenty of time to plan their trip.And given that they already knew when Pope Benedict was stepping down, they would have plenty of time to plan their trip.
"It is possible that church authorities can prepare a proposal to be taken up by the cardinals on the first day after the papal vacancy," Mr Lombardi said."It is possible that church authorities can prepare a proposal to be taken up by the cardinals on the first day after the papal vacancy," Mr Lombardi said.
The rules on papal succession were open to interpretation and "this is a question that people are discussing", he said.The rules on papal succession were open to interpretation and "this is a question that people are discussing", he said.
Pope Benedict is expected to spend his retirement in a monastery at the Vatican.Pope Benedict is expected to spend his retirement in a monastery at the Vatican.
Last week, he hinted he would withdraw into seclusion at the end of this month.Last week, he hinted he would withdraw into seclusion at the end of this month.
"Even if I am withdrawing into prayer, I will always be close to all of you... even if I remain hidden to the world," he told a meeting of priests in Rome."Even if I am withdrawing into prayer, I will always be close to all of you... even if I remain hidden to the world," he told a meeting of priests in Rome.
The last pontiff to resign was Pope Gregory XII, who quit in 1415 amid a schism within the Church.The last pontiff to resign was Pope Gregory XII, who quit in 1415 amid a schism within the Church.