Sede Vacante Stamps Issued

The Vatican City's Postal and Philately Service has issued a series of stamps to mark this period of Sede Vacante.

The stamps are printed with the phrase "Sede Vacante MMXXV." According to the Vatican State website, the stamps "depict the Allegory of the Apostolic See supported by angels under which figure the crossed keys." The new stamps are available in denominations of €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20 and are available for purchase at the Post Office kiosk in St. Peter’s Square and at all public Vatican City Post offices.

Conclave Will Begin on May 7

The Vatican has announced that the 2025 Conclave to elect the next Bishop of Rome is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Approximately 135 members of the College of Cardinals will decide who is to become the 267th Pope of the Universal Church.

Pope Francis Laid to Rest

An estimated 250,000 people attended the Funeral Mass of the Late Roman Pontiff Francis on Saturday. Later that day, the Pope's body was transported through Rome to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he was interred.

Watch Live: Funeral Mass of Pope Francis

The Funeral Mass for Pope Francis will begin at 10:00 a.m. CEST in St. Peter's Square. It will be livestreamed on YouTube by Vatican News:

The booklet for the Mass can be found here: https://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/libretti/2025/20250426-libretto-esequie-sepoltura.pdf

Pope Francis Lies in State Ahead of Funeral on Saturday

The body of Pope Francis is now lying in state in St. Peter's Basilica.

His mortal remains will continue to lie in an open casket until his funeral on Saturday. The faithful will be able to pay their respects on Wednesday and Thursday evening until midnight. Below is video recording of the celebration of translation of the coffin of Pope Francis to St. Peter's Basilica.

Photo credit: Vatican News.

Pope Francis Will Be Buried in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Pope Francis will become the first pope to be interred outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII in 1903.

The Vatican has published the testament of Pope Francis, which he signed on June 29, 2022. The testament gives instructions for the Holy Father's final resting place at the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome.

Below is the entirety of the Testament of the Holy Father Francis:

Miserando atque Eligendo

In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place.

I have always entrusted my life and priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest, awaiting the day of resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

I wish that my final earthly journey conclude precisely in this ancient Marian shrine, where I go to pray at the beginning and end of every Apostolic Journey to faithfully entrust my intentions to the Immaculate Mother and to give thanks for her gentle and maternal care.

I ask that my tomb be prepared in the burial niche in the side nave between the Pauline Chapel (Chapel of the Salus Populi Romani) and the Sforza Chapel of the aforementioned Papal Basilica, as indicated in the enclosed plan.

The tomb should be in the ground; simple, without particular ornamentation, and bearing only the inscription: Franciscus.

The expenses for the preparation of my burial will be covered by a benefactor and the sum will be transferred to the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I have given the appropriate instructions to Monsignor Rolandas Makrickas, Extraordinary Commissioner of the Liberian Chapter.

May the Lord grant the deserved reward to those who have wished me well and will continue to pray for me. The suffering that marked the final part of my life, I offer to the Lord, for peace in the world and brotherhood among peoples.

Domus Sanctae Marthae, 29 June 2022

FRANCIS

Photo credit: By Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore - Own work, CC BY 4.0, Link

Pope Francis Is Dead

Pope Francis has died at age 88, one day after greeting the Easter Sunday crowds at St. Peter's Basilica and bestowing his Urbi et Orbi blessing.

The death was announced this morning by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church:

"Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God."