Benedict could stay in the March 15 papal residence till May or May , Vatican aide says . Guidance on the protocol for what comes next should be issued soon , he says . The decision may not come until after Benedict 's departure and lies in the hands of the cardinals , he added . The cardinals could meet sooner than March 15 if they are all in Castel Gandolfo , Lombardi says . Gregory XII announced Monday that he will step down on March 15 .
Benedict could stay in the March 15 papal residence till May or May , Vatican aide says . Guidance on the protocol for what comes next should be issued soon , he says . The cardinals could meet sooner than March 15 if they are all in Castel Gandolfo , Lombardi says . Gregory XII announced Monday that he will step down on March 15 .