Lombardi: Statement regarding changes to Conclave

(Vatican Radio) At a press conference this morning, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, S.J., said Pope Benedict is considering the publication of a Motu Proprio in the coming days, in order to clarify specific points of the legislation governing the sede vacante period and the Conclave to elect a new Pope. Any clarification, of course, would be made prior to the formal conclusion of the Pope Benedict’s ministry on February 28.

“I do not know,” said Father Lombardi, “if it would be necessary or appropriate to make a clarification on the issue of the time of the conclave.”

Father Lombardi suggested that a document by Pope Benedict might deal with points of detail in order to fully harmonize the different rules in force for the Conclave. However, any question of a change in procedures would have to await the determination of the Pope. Until then, the current rules remain in force.