VATICAN CITY
National Catholic Reporter
by John L. Allen Jr. ,Joshua J. McElwee | Feb. 25, 2013
Rome —
Pope Benedict XVI has given the college of cardinals authority to change the date of the upcoming conclave to elect his successor, the Vatican announced Monday.
The pope has signed a motu propio on the issue, setting aside parts of a previous mandate from Pope John Paul II governing the working of a conclave, said Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesperson, at a press conference.
With a potential date for the concave now in the cardinals’ hands, it is unknown when they will choose to meet to elect Benedict’s successor.
Lombardi said the earliest a date for the conclave might be known is March 1, when the cardinals will first meet following Benedict’s resignation.
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