Pope may call for earlier election conclave

Pope Benedict XVI may just decide to call for an earlier election of his successor. The Vatican said on Wednesday, February 20, this could happen in March by virtue of a decree issued by the pope. He may, however, stop short of setting a formal framework for future resignations. The decree would have to be issued before Benedict formally resigns on February 28 at 1900 GMT (March 1, 3:00 am, Manila time). Historian Ambrogio Piazzoni said the pope is “the only one who can legislate until the last minute. In 1996, the Apostolic Constitution promulgated by then pope John Paul II states the conclave should start 15 and 20 days after the start of the popeless interregnum, often after the death of a pope. The delay allows cardinals from all over the world to gather in Rome and organize a funeral. Benedict is only the second pope to have resigned in the Church’s 2,000-year history.

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