LONDON -
Pope Benedict the 16th has revised the rule on
how his successor will be chosen. Cardinals no longer have to wait 15 days
after the Pope resigns to begin voting for a new Holy Father. After Benedict
steps down on Thursday, cardinals can decide to move up the secret ceremony to
elect a pope, known as the conclave
The Vatican would like a new Pope in
place before Easter week begins on March 24th. That means the new Pope must be
installed a week earlier.
When the voting starts, Scottish
Cardinal Keith O'Brien will be noticeably absent. The Vatican confirms O'Brien
resigned amid allegations he behaved inappropriately with other priests 30
years ago. O'Brien denies the accusations and says he does not want the
allegations to be a distraction.
Some tourists at the Vatican say the new
allegations are another blemish for the church.
Pope Benedict also met Monday with the
elderly cardinals who conducted a probe into the leak of Vatican Documents. The
outgoing pope has decided the details of that investigation will not be shared
with the cardinals or the media ahead of the conclave.
With O'Brien out, 115 Cardinals will
elect the new Pope.
