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Pope changes conclave rules allowing for earlier start

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    Lauren Green reports from New York

  • Duration 3:35
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We'll Pope Benedict the sixteenth changing the rules of the -- -- -- that will elect his successor today.

This follows his last Sunday blessing which happened yesterday from window overlooking Saint Peter's Square was amendment -- Occasion there were so many people out there holding supported science he told tens of thousands of people there.

That he felt that god had called him.

To make this move to step down.

Because separate order to deal.

-- called me to climb the Mountain View to dedicate myself even more to prayer and meditation.

But this doesn't mean abandoning the church.

On the contrary it got asked me.

This is because I can continue to serve it.

With the same dedication.

And the same love which I tried to do so until now.

But in no way more suitable.

To my age -- my strength.

Just a historic.

Turn of events this whole.

Happening has -- And the -- -- we'll take part in -- general public audiences Saint Peter's Square on Wednesday before formally abdicating.

On Thursday evening we understand Lorne -- is here with us with -- -- stories -- Tell us about the changes that have been made it to the dates of the conclave -- -- some -- this is something that have been long speculated because they wanted to have a new -- in place by Easter so they had to move up these dates.

The Pope had to sign a special document today.

-- the cardinals to move up the start date of a conclave if all of them arrived in Rome before the usual fifteen day transition period.

After the papal seat is vacated he's vacating the seat on Thursday at.

8 PM now the rules around a fifteen day waiting period to start the process to choose a new Pope were set in 1996 -- -- about John Paul the second.

I could only be changed by another Pope that is what Benedict did today one of his last official acts as you said.

Yesterday as we see now bit Pope gave his final Sunday -- -- huge crowds.

In Saint Peter's Square.

Now no dates has still been set for the conclave to begin but in order to have a new Pope by the start of holy week which is march 24.

The he would have to be the new Pope would have to be installed by Sunday march 17 pence that's why they had him.

Give permission to move up the date that everything moving forward on that whole time table right now a little bit of news also this morning line we're learning that a cardinal from Britain.

Who has been involved in some controversy has decided not to attend tell us about that but -- but this is really unprecedented this is -- just.

Doesn't happen of course we're -- season of unprecedented events obviously.

There will be one less card what's -- the conclave cardinal Keith O'Brien of Scotland.

England's highest ranking Catholic leader is resigning as archbishop in the wake of allegations of misconduct.

British newspapers report that O'Brien has been accused by three current priest and one former priest of acting inappropriately with them back in the 1980s.

McCardell said in a statement Monday that he will not attend the conclave because he doesn't want media attention focused on him.

During this most important session in Rome and I have to add this is unlike Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles.

Who says he will help select a new Pope in -- despite calls from critics.

But he -- in the wake of a sex abuse scandal in the Los Angeles archdiocese has been pressure on him to not attend as well and it wonder you -- to what goes through his mind when he hears this news.

From Scotland this morning very interesting beat that you have right now line and I thank you sound lacks good to see this morning and -- years.

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