No vote yet on limbo

Pope Benedict has decided to keep limbo in limbo a little longer.

For nearly a year the Church's International Theological Commission has been working on a document expected to recommend he formally abolish limbo, the place where centuries of Catholic tradition held that babies who die without baptism went.

The Pope said Mass with members of the commission yesterday morning, but, contrary to some media speculation, he did not mention the concept in his homily and announced no decision.

The media reports had said the Pope would formally cancel limbo yesterday but a key participant, Italian Archbishop Bruno Forte, said the 30-member commission were still fine-tuning their document.

"The Pope did not mention it today in his homily. We are still working on the document. No vote has been taken. I think nothing will be ready to hand up to him until 2007," he said.