The Papal Conclave can overtake because it was an announced resignation

February 16, 2013
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According to Vatican spokesman, Federico Lombardi, “The Papal Conclave to elect a successor to Pope could meet before the originally estimated date of March 15 as long as they are in Rome on sufficient number of cardinals to elect his replacement”.

Lombardi said, “By the ecclesiastical rules that guide the formation of the caucus can be interpreted differently in this case, given the historical circumstances.”

“At first, it was estimated that the conclave would begin between 15 and 20 March, according to the original principles of succession, but it was acknowledged Saturday that the date may be advanced to be an announced resignation and not papal sudden death.”

Vatican spokesman in an editorial defending the figure of Benedict XVI and his resignation as ‘a gesture of Christian wisdom and admirable human’, motivated by his poor health.

The text, reported by Vatican Radio, Lombardi denied categorically that “Benedict XVI has resigned due to his inability to manage the office”.

According to Lombardi: “The Pope made this decision because the huge problems that face the Church today and the world need high energy and a time proportional to the charge of pastoral initiatives that need high amplitude and low longevity. Benedict did not abandon us in times of difficulty.”