Papal spokesman on final days of Pope Benedict’s pontificate

(Feb. 13, 2013) Pope Benedict XVI’s decision to resign is not due to ill health but the inevitable frailty that comes with aging, Jesuit Fr. Federico Lombardi reiterated on Tuesday to a packed Vatican Press Office. It was a decision that the Holy Father matured over time, particularly following his trip last year to Mexico and Cuba, when he realised the physical toll of such trans-Atlantic journeys. It was the second briefing the Director of the Holy See Press Office gave since the shock announcement of Pope Benedict on Monday,
Fr. Lombardi began by confirming the Pope’s calendar of appointments until February 28th, the date indicated by the Pope for his resignation from ministry. He also confirmed Italian newspaper reports that Pope Benedict has a pacemaker, but pointed out that he has had it for 10 years, even before being elected Pope. He also confirmed that Pope Benedict had a new battery installed three months ago in a routine procedure.
Turning to what happens next Fr. Lombardi reiterated that the Conclave must begin between 15 to 20 days from the commencement of the ‘Sede vacante’ or Vacant See, (March 1st). He also reaffirmed that Pope Benedict will have “no role whatsoever” in the conclave, or choice of his successor. Even though Pope Benedict will spend his retirement near Rome and then inside Vatican City, he will not play any role in the upcoming election for a new pope, and he will not interfere with the responsibilities and decision-making activities of the new pontiff, the Vatican spokesman said.
In the meantime, he encouraged journalists not to miss the opportunity of the last great encounters of this pontificate, particularly the last great liturgical celebration of Pope Benedict’s pontificate - the Ash Wednesday Mass to be held this year in St Peter’s Basilica, rather than St Sabina on the Aventine Hill, to accommodate the large crowd expected. He mentioned the Pope’s meeting with the priests of Rome on Thursday February 14^th; the Sunday Angelus; his meeting with bishops from Italy on their Ad Limina visit and two private audiences with visiting Heads of State, from Romania and Guatemala. He also said that Pope Benedict’s encyclical on faith is not yet ready and therefore will not be published before his resignation Feb 28.
The Vatican’s Office for Protocol, Lombardi revealed, is already studying the constitution and norms governing the Papacy to clarify the state and situation of Benedict XVI once he resigns. What title he will be given, his role within the Church and even the fate of the fisherman’s ring and papal seal. “It’s unchartered territory for us all”, he said.