Popes on the Stamps of Vatican City:
Sede Vacante Stamps

Our series of articles “Popes on the Stamps of Vatican City” has presented (we think) every pope that has at one time or another been pictured on a stamp of the Vatican City State. As a means of wrapping up the series, it was decided to present the stamps from the times when there was no pope. These stamps are the “Sede Vacante” stamps. Upon the death (or retirement) of the Bishop of Rome and pope, the Holy See is said to be in a period of “Sede Vacante” (meaning “Empty Seat”). This is also known as an “Interregnum” period—the time between the reigns of popes. This time span runs from the time the papacy becomes vacant until the election of a new pope by the Conclave of Cardinals. Since the establishment of the Vatican City State in 1929, there have been seven interregnum periods. During each of those times, the Vatican Post Office has followed official protocol and issued “Sede Vacante” stamps, which are only valid during the interregnum. These stamps are presented below. As a means of “putting a face to a name”, in addition to the Sede Vacante stamps, the last stamp issued during the pontificate picturing each pope will be presented. Pope Pius XI: reigned as pope from February 6, 1922 to February 10, 1939 Pope Pius XI Scott 40 (released June 16, 1934, with second printing in 1937) Sede Vacante Stamps following the Death of Pope Pius XI Overprinted stamps from the first Vatican City stamp issue Scott 61-67 (released February 20, 1939) Pope Pius XII: reigned as pope from March 2, 1939 to October 9, 1958 Pope Pius XII Scott 242 (released June 19, 1958) Sede Vacante Stamps following the Death of Pope Pius XII Scott 247-249 (released October 21, 1958) Pope John XXIII: reigned as pope from October 28, 1958 to June 3, 1963 Pope John XXIII Scott 361 (released March 21, 1963) Sede Vacante Stamps following the Death of Pope John XXIII Scott 362-364 (released June 15, 1963) Pope Paul VI: reigned as pope from June 21, 1963 to August 6, 1978 Pope Paul VI Scott 631 (released March 9, 1978) Sede Vacante Stamps following the Death of Pope Paul VI Scott 635-637 (released August 23, 1978) Pope John Paul I: reigned as pope from August 26 to September 28, 1978 Pope John Paul I Scott 641 (released December 11, 1978) NOTE: No stamps of Pope John Paul I were issued during his short 33-day papacy. The stamp above was the first stamp issued with his image and was released after his death. Sede Vacante Stamps following the Death of Pope John Paul I Scott 638-640 (released October 12, 1978) Pope John Paul II: reigned as pope from October 16, 1978 to April 2, 2005 Pope John Paul II Scott 1265c (released March 18, 2004) Sede Vacante Stamps following the Death of Pope John Paul II Scott 1292-1294 (released April 12, 2005) Pope Benedict XVI: reigned as pope from April 19, 2005 to February 28, 2013 Pope Benedict XVI Scott 1512 (November 6, 2012) Sede Vacante Stamps following the Retirement of Pope Benedict XVI Scott 1519-1521 (released March 1, 2013)