New pope coming sooner than later?

The papal elections may come earlier than expected after resigned Pope Benedict XVI signed a special decree allowing the voting process for his successor to begin less than the usual 15- to 20-day waiting time. Normally, this period is allotted for mourning as well as logistics issues involved in gathering the cardinals from around the world to participate in the process. Unlike the popes before him who were replaced after death, Benedict XVI cited ill health in deciding to step down on Thursday, February 28. One cardinal — Keith O’Brien, Britain’s most senior Roman Catholic cleric — will not be joining the voting ritual. He has just resigned due to “inappropriate behavior.”

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