Sede Vacante 2013

Today, Pope Benedict XVI has formally stepped down as Pontifex Maximus of the Roman Catholic Church. The Church has entered into a period of Apostolica Sede Vacante- the vacancy of the Apostolic See, the See of Peter, the See of Rome.

The coat of arms of the Holy See also changes during this period. Instead of the papal tiara over the keys, the tiara is replaced with the umbraculum,  an umbrella-like canopy with broad alternating gold and red stripes, the traditional colors of the pontificate. This symbolizes both the lack of a Pope. 

The umbraculum is part of the coat of arms of the Holy See sede vacante, i.e., between the reigns of two popes. It was first used as an interregnal emblem in this way on coins minted in 1521. Likewise, commemorative stamps issued during the Sede Vacante feature the umbraculum with the crossed keys. The Vatican City State is yet to issue the design for the commemorative stamps for the 2013 Sede Vacante.

The Commemorative Stamps issued during the 1963 Sede Vacante following the death of Bl. Pope John XXIII. 

The coat-of-arms of the Vatican City State will remain as such until a new successor to the See of Peter has been elected by the College of Cardinals, until such day when the Cardinal Proto-deacon declares from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica that, "Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum; habemus Papam: Eminentissimum ac Reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum [speculation: Aloysium Antonium] Sanctae Romae Ecclesia Cardinalem [Tagle]."