Papal election may come earlier

Pope considering making changes to the rules

Pastoral rings are seen at the "Conflexclero" religious shop near the Vatican in Rome Feb. 19. Cardinals will gather in Rome next month to select a successor to Pope Benedict XVI. CNS photo / Max Rossi, Reuters.

Catholic News Agency reports that Pope Benedict XVI is considering modifying the laws that govern how a Pope is elected, given the circumstances created by his resignation.

Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, told journalists Feb. 20 that Pope Benedict is thinking about publishing a document to further clarify the conclave section of the Apostolic Constitution.

This means he would have to issue by a motu proprio a new set of legal regulations before he steps down Feb. 28. The Latin title "motu proprio" is a designation that means the document is personally signed by the Pope and is issued solely under his authority.

For full story see The B.C. Catholic website.