Vacant Papal See Stamps

Finally, the much awaited Vacant Papal See stamps are already out!

These stamps released on March 1, 2013 were intended to commemorate the event wherein the Apostolic See became vacant immediately after the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI decided to renounce the Petrine ministry effective February 28, 2013 at 20:00 hours.

The Holy Catholic Church came out with a series of procedures that guaranteed the continuance of ordinary administration while calling the Conclave where Cardinals will choose the new Pope in an election. The government during the time of Sede Vacante is ensured by the Apostolic Camera led by the Cardinal Camerlingo together with the Vice Camerlingo and Cleric Prelates of the Camera.

The issuance of these postal stamps are for correspondence purposes from the Vatican City during the period of the Vacant Papal See.

This series composed of 4 values (€ 0.70, 0.85, 2.00 and 2.50) was designed by artist Daniela Longo.  

See my previous blog featuring the Sede Vacante.

Sede Vacante

Pope Benedict XVI finally bids farewell to all the faithful of the Roman Catholic Church on February 28, 2013. With the pope's resignation, the Vatican declares today a "Sede Vacante" or Vacant See.

During this period, the coat of arms of the Holy See changes. Instead of the papal tiara over the keys, it is replaced with the umbraculum. This symbolizes the absence of a pope and the governance of the Camerlengo. The coat of arms of the Camerlengo ornaments the symbol and is replaced immediately after a new pope is installed.  

The Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office revealed that after the pope's resignation, "Sede Vacante 2013" stamps will be released. The stamps valued at 70 cents (for Italy), 80 cents (for Europe and Mediterranean), 2 euros (for Africa, Asia and the US) and 2.5 euros (for Australia) will have an identical motif and is valid until a new pope will be inaugurated. The stamp design shows the Vacant See symbol - a striped umbrella over crossed keys and the words Sede Vacante, Citta del Vaticano and MMXIII.

The first printing of "Sede Vacante" commemorative stamps began in 1939. The "Sede Vacante" stamps after the death of Pope John Paul II were a blockbuster. 750,000 copies were printed with values of 60, 62 and 80 cents. See photo above.

Pope Benedict XVI Resigns

 
The news that Pope Benedict XVI is resigning caught everyone by surprise including the Church. The 85-year old pope will leave the papacy on February 28 owing to his declining health and old age. A voluntary papal resignation is uncommon. Pope Celestine V abdicated the position in 1294 while Pope Gregory XII resigned in 1415 to end the western schism.

In a statement on February 11, the German pope said: "After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

"For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of bishop of Rome, successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a conclave to elect the new supreme pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is."

His successor will be elected possibly during the beginning of the holy week on 24 March.

Featured above are the Pope Benedict XVI stamps released in Germany and the Vatican.

I am glad that that I have a philatelic remembrance in the form of a postal envelope with a cachet bearing the pope's image. This envelopes were sent to me and Cebu Stamp Club by the Vatican Postal Administration in 2011 and 2012.

See my previous blog featuring Pope Benedict XVI. Jump here.. 

The Pope's Christmas Message to Filipinos

Pope Benedict XVI gave his Christmas Day blessing hours after he was knocked down by a woman during the start of the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.

His "Urbi et Orbi" speech, which means "To the city and the world" in Latin was followed with Christmas greetings in 65 different languages that included a special message for the Filipinos.