Benedict could stay in the summer papal residence till April or May , Vatican aide says . The pontiff , born Joseph Ratzinger , will first go by helicopter to the pope 's summer residence in Castel Gandolfo , Lombardi said . 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 Rome , Lombardi says . Pope Francis has been criticized by some conservatives and liberals alike over his handling of sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic Church.
Benedict could stay in the summer papal residence till April 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 Rome , Lombardi says . Pope Francis has been criticized by some conservatives and liberals alike over his handling of sexual abuse scandals within the Catholic Church.