New pope will probably be elected by end of March - Vatican

ROME (Reuters) - A new pope will probably be elected by the end of March, a Vatican spokesman said on Monday, after Pope Benedict left his aides "incredulous" with his announcement that he would resign because he was too weak to fulfil the duties of his office.

Benedict said he would step down on February 28 and would not take part in the conclave to elect a new pope, Father Federico Lombardi told reporters at the Vatican.