Answer: 
When a pope dies or resigns, the Catholic Church enters a solemn period known as the Sede Vacante—Latin for “the seat being vacant.” During this interregnum, the papal throne is unoccupied, and the governance of the Church is temporarily entrusted to the Camerlengo, who oversees the Vatican’s temporal affairs until a new pope is elected.
To mark this unique moment in Church history, the Vatican issues a special series of stamps and postal memorabilia. These stamps are instantly recognizable by their use of two powerful symbols: the umbraculum and the crossed keys.
The umbraculum, or ceremonial umbrella, once shaded popes during processions. In the context of the Sede Vacante, it symbolizes the temporary governance of the Church. It is often depicted in red and gold, the traditional papal colors, and replaces the papal tiara in the coat of arms used during this period.
The crossed keys—one gold, one silver—represent the authority given to Saint Peter by Christ, as described in the Gospel of Matthew: “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.” The gold key symbolizes spiritual authority in heaven, while the silver key represents ecclesiastical authority on earth. Bound together by a red cord, they signify the unity of these powers and the continuity of the Church even in the absence of a pope. |
