When a pope dies or resigns, the Catholic Church enters a period known as sede vacante — Latin for “the seat being vacant.” It marks a solemn yet hope-filled time when the Chair of Saint Peter stands empty, and the Church prepares to choose a new shepherd.
The phrase sede vacante refers specifically to the absence of a pope. It is not simply an organizational pause, but a meaningful spiritual moment for Catholics around the world. The central symbol of this vacancy is the papal coat of arms: during this time, it appears without the papal tiara and instead displays two crossed keys beneath a canopy.
The Vatican's web site gives its own poignant reminder of this time, with the image of sede vacante, rather than the picture of the reigning pope.
In practice, the sede vacante period begins immediately after a pope’s death — or, as in the rare case of Pope Benedict XVI, after his resignation. From that moment, all Vatican officials who lead major departments, such as the Secretary of State or heads of Congregations, automatically lose their authority. Only a few essential offices, like the Camerlengo, continue operating in a limited way to ensure basic governance.
The Camerlengo, usually a cardinal, has the unique and weighty responsibility of administering the temporal goods of the Church during the vacancy. His first duty after the death of a pope is a deeply symbolic one: traditionally, he verifies the pope’s death, often by calling him by his baptismal name three times. Once confirmed, preparations for mourning and burial begin. In the meantime, no major decisions affecting the future of the Church can be made. The principle behind this is simple: the Church is not governed without Peter.
The sede vacante period culminates in the gathering of the College of Cardinals for a conclave. Drawing its name from the Latin words cum clave (“with key”), the conclave is held under conditions of strict secrecy, emphasizing the spiritual gravity of the task. In prayer and discernment, the cardinals elect the next pope — the new successor to Saint Peter.
Source and foundation of unity
The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the pope is the “perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful” (CCC 882).
Thus, sede vacante is not just about an administrative gap. It is a temporary pause that reveals how deeply the unity of the Church is entrusted to one man’s office — not as a symbol of human power, but as a living witness to Christ’s care for His people.
Though the absence of a pope can feel unsettling, it is also a time of prayerful trust. The Church belongs not to any one pope, but to Christ Himself. The sede vacante invites Catholics everywhere to pray for the cardinals, for the future pope, and for the Church’s ongoing mission in the world.
From St. Peter’s Basilica, the bells toll differently during sede vacante, and the great Vatican flag flies without the papal insignia. Yet beneath the visible signs of mourning, there is also a deep current of expectation. In every sede vacante, the Church renews her ancient prayer: Veni, Creator Spiritus — “Come, Creator Spirit” — asking God to guide His Church once more into the future He prepares for her.
