From CWN:
Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) has announced that he will soon release the apostolic exhortation summarizing the work of the Synod on the Eucharist, which concluded its deliberations 16 months ago.
The appearance of the apostolic exhortation is “imminent,” the Holy Father told priests of the Rome diocese, during a traditional early-Lenten meeting in the Hall of Benedictions at the Vatican on Thursday morning.
The only downside is this:
Pope Benedict did not mention the motu proprio that he is also expected to release in the near future, allowing broader use of the pre-conciliar Latin liturgy. Several Vatican journalists have suggested that the motu proprio is likely to appear in conjunction with the apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist, although the Holy See has not confirmed that speculation.
But, as they say, it is expected they will be released close together, if not simultaneously. I had just been thinking about writing that I didn't expect to see anything on either of these issues during Lent so as to not distract from the season, nor immediately after Easter for the same reason (and think of the diocesan offices having to deal with new requests for TLM masses during the already busy Lent and Easter seasons). It's possible I'm still right in that thought, or it's possible that pastoral concern makes it prudent to issue one or both sooner for the fullness of Easter. Either way, both the fact of the word "imminent" and the fact it came from Pope Benedict's own lips are rather significant developments.
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