18/02/2013 00:00
l Is Pope Benedict who announced this week that he would be stepping down, in a move which has stunned the Catholic Church. The Pope said that his decision was prompted by ill-health. Some 117 cardinals under the age of 80 will be eligible to enter the secretive conclave to elect Benedict's successor. Church rules say the conclave has to start between 15-20 days after the papacy becomes vacant, which it will on February. But since the Church is now dealing with an announced resignation and not a sudden death, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the Vatican would be interpreting the law to see if it could start earlier.
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