Rome (CNN) -- The cardinals who must pick a successor to Pope Benedict XVI after he steps down on February 28 could meet to make the decision sooner than thought, a Vatican spokesman said Saturday.
The conclave, the meeting which will bring together the 117 cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church, could start before March 15 if all the cardinals are already in Rome, Father Federico Lombardi said.
Lombardi had previously said the conclave was likely to start between March 15 and 19.
But he gave new details Saturday, saying that because the pope had resigned rather than the conclave being triggered by his death, there was scope for the time frame to be brought forward.
The decision may not come until after Benedict's departure and lies in the hands of the cardinals, he added.
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Experts are working on points of the Apostolic Constitution that need to be clarified or interpreted, Lombardi said, and are expected to give pointers on the new protocol soon.
Lombardi said he had met with the pope Saturday morning and found him "calm and relaxed even in these so emotional days."
Benedict, 85, shocked the world Monday when he announced his intention to stand down at the end of the month, citing the frailty of old age.
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While Benedict won't be directly involved in his successor's selection, his influence will undoubtedly be felt. He appointed 67 of the 117 cardinals that are set to make the decision.
More than two-thirds of the final number of cardinals must agree on the next pope. The announcement that a decision has been made will come in the form of a puff of white smoke emerging from a chimney in the Vatican.
Benedict will hold a final audience in Vatican City's St. Peter's Square on February 27, but the church is not planning a formal ceremony to mark the pope's departure, Lombardi said.
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With the resignation of Pope Benedict, take a look at history's longest-reigning popes, or check out history's shortest-reigning popes. No. 10 (10th longest-reigning pope): Pope Urban VIII reigned for 20 years, 11 months and 24 days from 1623 to 1644. No. 9: Leo I, both a pope and saint, reigned from 440 to 461, for a total of 21 years, 1 month and 13 days. No. 8: Pope Sylvester I reigned from 314 to 335 for a total of 21 years, 11 months and 1 day. No. 7: Pope Alexander III reigned for 21 years, 11 months and 24 days. No. 6: Pope Pius VII reigned from 1800 to 1823 for a total of 23 years, 5 months and 7 days. No. 5: Pope Adrian I reigned for 23 years, 10 months and 25 days, from 772 to 795. No. 4: Pope Pius VI reigned from 1717 until his imprisonment, and subsequent death, in 1799. His reign lasted 24 years, 6 months and 15 days. No. 3: Pope Leo XIII reigned from 1878 to 1903, totaling 25 years, 5 months and 1 day. No. 2: Pope John Paul II reigned for 26 years, 5 months and 18 days, from 1978 to 2005. No. 1: Pope Pius IX reigned the longest of all popes, from 1846 to 1878, for a total of 31 years, 7 months and 23 days. Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes HIDE CAPTION << < 
No. 9: Leo I, both a pope and saint, reigned from 440 to 461, for a total of 21 years, 1 month and 13 days. 
No. 8: Pope Sylvester I reigned from 314 to 335 for a total of 21 years, 11 months and 1 day. 
No. 7: Pope Alexander III reigned for 21 years, 11 months and 24 days. 
No. 6: Pope Pius VII reigned from 1800 to 1823 for a total of 23 years, 5 months and 7 days. 
No. 5: Pope Adrian I reigned for 23 years, 10 months and 25 days, from 772 to 795. 
No. 4: Pope Pius VI reigned from 1717 until his imprisonment, and subsequent death, in 1799. His reign lasted 24 years, 6 months and 15 days. 
No. 3: Pope Leo XIII reigned from 1878 to 1903, totaling 25 years, 5 months and 1 day. 
No. 2: Pope John Paul II reigned for 26 years, 5 months and 18 days, from 1978 to 2005. 
No. 1: Pope Pius IX reigned the longest of all popes, from 1846 to 1878, for a total of 31 years, 7 months and 23 days. Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes Longest-reigning popes HIDE CAPTION << < 
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With the resignation of Pope Benedict, take a look at history's shortest-reigning popes. You can also view our list of the longest-reigning popes. Pope Urban VII reigned for 13 calendar days in 1590, the shortest papal tenure in history. Boniface VI reigned for 16 days in the year 896. Pope Celestine IV reigned for 17 days and died before consecration in 1241. Pope Theodore II reigned for 20 days in 897. Pope Sisinnius reigned for 21 days in 708. Pope Marcellus II reigned for 22 days in 1555. Pope Damasus II reigned for 24 days in 1048. Pope Pius III reigned for 27 days in 1503. Pope Leo XI also reigned for 27 days in 1605. Pope Benedict V was the first to reign for 33 days in 964. Pope John Paul I also reigned for 33 days before his death in 1978. Shortest-reigning popes Boniface VI Celestine IV Theodore II Sisinnius Marcellus II Damasus II Pius III Leo XI Benedict V John Paul I HIDE CAPTION << < 
Boniface VI reigned for 16 days in the year 896. 
Pope Celestine IV reigned for 17 days and died before consecration in 1241. 
Pope Theodore II reigned for 20 days in 897. 
Pope Sisinnius reigned for 21 days in 708. 
Pope Marcellus II reigned for 22 days in 1555. 
Pope Damasus II reigned for 24 days in 1048. 
Pope Pius III reigned for 27 days in 1503. 
Pope Leo XI also reigned for 27 days in 1605. 
Pope Benedict V was the first to reign for 33 days in 964. 
Pope John Paul I also reigned for 33 days before his death in 1978. Shortest-reigning popes Boniface VI Celestine IV Theodore II Sisinnius Marcellus II Damasus II Pius III Leo XI Benedict V John Paul I HIDE CAPTION << < 
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11 > >> Shortest-reigning popes The pontiff, born Joseph Ratzinger, will first go by helicopter to the pope's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Lombardi said.
He could remain at Castel Gondolfo until the end of April or early May while the works to ready a new residence for him in a monastery within the Vatican are completed, Lombardi said. Once there, he will devote himself to a life of reflection and prayer.
Lombardi told reporters that the pope's decision shouldn't be seen only as negative, but rather as a lucid and responsible choice that he had taken for the good of the Church.
Benedict wants the new pontiff to have the physical and moral vigor necessary to take on the necessary reforms of the Church, Lombardi said, adding that it will be up to the new pope and the cardinals to establish their priorities.
Benedict's decision to remain in Vatican City has a practical as well as a spiritual motivation, he said.
His presence will enable him to support his successor and the rest of the clergy, Lombardi said, although he dismissed the idea that Benedict would interfere as the new pope takes charge.
The last pope to step down before his death was Gregory XII, who in 1415 quit to end a civil war within the church in which more than one man claimed to be pope.
When do you know it's time to go?
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