Pope Benedict has changed Catholic Church law regulating the conclave
that will elect his successor, meaning it can start earlier.The change to a constitution by his predecessor John Paul II means cardinals no longer have to wait 15 days after the papacy becomes vacant on 28 February before they start the conclave.
The Vatican also said that a report into papal documents leaked by Pope Benedict's butler in the so-called "Vatileaks scandal" last year will remain confidential and will only be shown to the next pontiff.
It said: "The holy father has decided that the facts of this investigation, the contents of which are known only to himself, will be made available exclusively to the new pontiff."
Sections of the Italian media had called for the report to be made public ahead of the conclave that will choose the next Pope.