Vatican City

Civitas Vaticana, Città del Vaticano

1958 Interregnum

This set was issued on 15th June 1963 following the death of Pope John XXIII on 3rd June.

The stamps depict the arms of the Holy See under sede vacante ("empty throne"): the keys of the papacy and the umbrella of the Papal Chamberlain.

Sede vacante is an expression used in the canon law of the Catholic Church that refers to the vacancy of the episcopal see of a particular church. It is Latin for "the seat being vacant", the seat in question being the cathedra of the particular church. After the death or resignation of a pope, the Holy See enters a period of sede vacante. In this case the particular church is the Diocese of Rome and the "vacant seat" is the cathedra of Saint John Lateran, the cathedral church of the bishop of Rome. During this period, the Holy See is administered by a regency of the College of Cardinals.

Condition: Mint Never Hinged

Scott Catalogue Number: 362 - 364

Michel Catalogue Number: 429 - 431