ROME — Conclave meetings between cardinals to elect a new pope could begin before March 15, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said Saturday, despite having previously dismissed suggestions the process could be speeded up.

Pope Benedict XVI has said he will officially step down on Feb. 28. The conclave normally meets 15 to 20 days after the papal seat has been vacated, allowing the cardinals enough time to travel to Rome from all over the world.

But since Benedict is resigning _ the first pope to do so in 600 years _ rather than dying in office, the cardinals have more time to prepare, Lombardi said. Church rules could be interpreted so as to bring the conclave forward, he said.

The Vatican had previously said there would be a new pope by Easter, which this year falls on March 31.

Rome is also preparing itself for the pope’s Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, which around 100,000 people are expected to attend.

The prayer, which the pope traditionally gives from the window of his study, will also provide a test for the Italian capital’s police and security forces.

Around 1,000 officers will be out to police the event, according to the newspaper Il Messaggero, and streets around the Vatican will be closed to traffic.

On Saturday 85-year-old Benedict played host to Guatemalan President Otto Fernando Perez Molina, during a visit which had been scheduled before he announced his resignation.

Later Saturday he is also due to hold a private audience with Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti.

• MCT Campus