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 Sede Vacante Stamps of 1939 Scott 61-67 Editors Note: Here is a look back at the first set of "Sede Vacante" stamps, released in 1939 following the death of Pope Pius XI. The article below was written by the founder and first president of the Vatican Philatelic Society, William Wonneberger, Jr., and appeared in the journal of the National Philatelic Museum (Volume VII, Number 1, 1954, pages 61-107), a special issue released for the Vatican Marian Year Philatelic Exhibition, held at the Museum from September 22 to November 5, 1954. As we await the opening of the Papal Conclave this week, the article provides a historical recollection of the first interregnum period of the newly-formed Vatican City State, which issued the seven-stamp Sede Vacante set shown above for use prior to the election of the new pope. For an another look back into history, click on the YouTube link in the References to view a newsreel report on the preparations for the Conclave of 1939, and the election of Pope Pius XII on March 2, 1939. Narrated in Italian and clearly dated, it provides a glimpse back at the first Conclave held in the Vatican City State. While the City of Rome was sleeping in the early hours of February 10, 1939, the Pontificate of Pius XI was coming to a close. The ailing Pontiff in his eighty-second year was receiving Extreme Unction from his sacristan, Monsignor De Romanis. The generals of the great religious orders gave to the Holy Father the special indulgences they have the privilege of conferring. Monsignor De Romanis repeated the Proficiscere anima christiana. Clasping a cross bearing the effigy of his Maker whom he soon was to join, Pope Pius XI uttered a prayer for peace, drew his last breath, and went to his eternal reward. Cardinal Pacelli, the Cardinal Camerlengo, dressed in robes of mourning approached the lifeless body of his Supreme Shepherd on earth. He gazed down at his friend of many years and turned to the saddened prelates, "The Pope is truly dead," he sorrowfully announced. The prayer of "De Profundis" was said. Cardinal Pacelli then received the Fisherman's Ring that was taken from the finger of the Pope to be broken at the next meeting of the Cardinals and the matrix used to seal the Papal Bulls was scrapped. These two signs of Papal authority were destroyed to signify that for a time there would be no such authority. During the period of the interregnum, or the period between the death of one Pope and the election of another, all business affairs of the Holy See are conducted by the Cardinal Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber. It is his duty to issue the official death notice and he immediately moves into the Vatican Palace. His other duties include the closing of the Papal apartments and affixing his official seal to prevent the removal of documents or the personal property of the deceased Pontiff. Upon the election of a new Pope, the Cardinal Camerlengo reverts to his regular duties. During this time the Cardinals hastened from all parts of the world to the Vatican, and then assembled in the Sistine Chapel to elect the new Pope. On March 2, 1939, sixty-two cardinals assembled for the first day of balloting. On the third vote the former Cardinal Camerlengo and Secretary of State, Eugenio Cardinal Pacelli was elected Pontiff and chose the name of Pius. The election of Pope Pius XII was a record-breaking event. It was the first time in the history of the Church that a newly elected Pontiff gave his blessing to the world by radio. It was the first time in centuries that a Pope had been elected on the first day of balloting. And it was the first time in 272 years that a Papal Secretary of State had been elected to Bishop of Rome. To mark the interregnum the Vatican Postal Administration overprinted the first seven values of the Conciliation Issue, depicting the papal coat-of-arms, with the wording "SEDE VACANTE" ("vacant seat"), the burial umbrella of the early Christian ages, and the year (MCMXXXIX--1939). The set was issued ten days after the passing of Pius XI and was withdrawn on March 2, 1939, the day Cardinal Pacelli was elected as Pope Pius XII. REFERENCES: |
