Conclave

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In case you missed this, Pope Benedict has removed the waiting period before the conclave is to start

Pope Benedict XVI has changed Church law allowing cardinals to vote earlier for the new Pope, provided that they are all in Rome.

“Pope Benedict XVI allows for the College of Cardinals to begin the Conclave before fifteen days have passed from the beginning of the sede vacante, providing that all voting cardinals are present,” said Archbishop Pier Luigi Celata Feb. 25 at the Holy See’s press office.

The Pope’s Feb. 25 “motu proprio,” a decree written on his own initiative, means that the cardinals will no longer have to wait 15 days to elect the new head of the Church.

“The modification also provides that the conclave must begin no more than 20 days after the beginning of the sede vacante, even if all the electors are not present,” Archbishop Celata added.

But the exact date when the voting will begin remains unknown until the cardinals hold their initial general meetings, according to the Holy See’s press office director, Father Federico Lombardi.