Pope Benedict XVI has announced he is stepping down on February 28 . The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415 to end the Great Western Schism . The gathering is known as a `` conclave . '' Comment: Lombardi says the Vatican expects a new pope to be in place by Easter .
Pope Benedict XVI has announced he is stepping down on February 28 . The last pope to resign was Pope Gregory XII in 1415 to end the Great Western Schism . Comment: Lombardi says the Vatican expects a new pope to be in place by Easter .