725th stamp blog: Pope Francis (1936 – 2025) has passed away
Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88. He had been the head of the Roman Catholic Church since March 2013. The Pope struggled with health problems regularly in recent years. Do you collect Vatican City? Do you collect the stamps and/or coins? The print runs of Vatican issues are low and therefore sell out quickly.
Pope Francis (1936 – 2025)
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Buenos Aires, December 17, 1936 – Vatican City, April 21, 2025), was the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church since March 13, 2013, an office that entails being the leader of this church, Bishop of Rome, and Sovereign Prince of Vatican City. The Argentine was the first Jesuit to become Pope, the first from Latin America, and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. Pope Francis is regarded by the Roman Catholic Church as the 266th Pope. He succeeded Benedict XVI, who resigned on February 28, 2013.
Upon his accession in 2013, Francis was a welcome breath of fresh air for the Catholic Church, which in the years under Pope Benedict XVI was plagued by child abuse scandals. The unrest was complete when Benedict resigned prematurely due to his advanced age (then 85) and various health problems. That had not happened since 1415.
Pausnaam
Bergoglio calls himself Francis as a tribute to Francis of Assisi, the apostle of the poor, who was also a great example for Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit order. Francis was born in 1181 in Assisi in Umbria (Italy) and died there in 1226. He is regarded in the Roman Catholic Church as one of the greatest saints who ever lived. On the occasion of his first Angelus prayer on March 17, 2013, he said that he had adopted the name of the patron saint of Italy and that this strengthens his spiritual ties with the country where his family originally comes from.
Francis as a papal name has not been used before. The last pope before Francis to choose a new papal name was Pope John Paul I in 1978, a combination of previously used papal names. The current choice is the first entirely new and unique name since Pope Lando in 913. Nevertheless, he wishes to be referred to as Francis I – the first – which is unusual when there is no successor yet with the same name. Apparently, he hopes that the name – and his austere lifestyle – will be emulated.
Papal coat of arms
The papal coat of arms is, as with previous popes, broadly identical to the coat of arms borne by Cardinal Bergoglio as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. The shield consists of a field of azure containing a golden star, a nard flower, and the monogram IHS. Added are the golden and silver keys and the red cord, which have been fixed elements of the papal coat of arms since the 12th century. Francis' predecessor had replaced the tiara with a mitre; this is no different with this coat of arms.
Pontificate
Pope Francis is much milder than his predecessors. He focuses less on dogmas, which dictate exactly how one should be a good Christian. He is a pope who does his very best to help the poor. He lashes out fiercely at countries in South America, including in a speech: "We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most, but which has reduced misery the least." As an archbishop, he also always cooked his own meals, and an expert said: "This is a man who goes to the slums and cooks with the people." He also lived in a simple apartment instead of the luxurious palace where archbishops normally reside. Furthermore, he is not necessarily in favor of celibacy and said that it might well be abolished.
Regarding women, he said that they cannot become priests in any case. The Church has spoken and said no. That door is closed, he said. However, he does believe that women should be allowed to hold more leadership positions in non-spiritual tasks that are related to the Church. He is opposed to same-sex marriage, but also to discrimination against homosexuals. During an interview on a plane, he said that only God can determine whether homosexuality is a sin. As an archbishop, he actually thought it was very bad that a law was introduced to allow homosexuals to marry in Argentina.
Vacant seat
Sedisvacation, also sedisvacatio (from the Latin sedis vacatio: emptiness of the chair) or sede vacante, is the state in which a bishop's see is unoccupied. It is caused by the death, resignation, or transfer of a bishop. A sedisvacation ends upon the appointment of a new bishop.
The Universi Dominici Gregis stipulates that during a sedisvacation, all high officials within the Roman Curia lose their positions. However, there are a few exceptions to this, namely:
- The Cardinal-Grand Penitentiary
- The Cardinal Vicar
- The Archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica. This is a cardinal who is also Vicar General of Vatican City.
- Two substitutes for the State Secretary, one for General Affairs and one for Foreign Affairs.
During a sedisvacation, an important task rests with the camerlengo. During a sedisvacation, this cardinal is responsible for all matters that must be arranged regarding the death of a pope, as well as for organizing the conclave. As Cardinal-Treasurer, he is also the temporary administrator of all papal property and rights. The papal apartments in the Vatican and in Castel Gandolfo are sealed by the camerlengo at the beginning of the sedisvacation.
Vatican City, which mints coins bearing the likeness of every pope, has a tradition of minting so-called Sede vacante coins during the sedisvacation of the Holy See. The most recent sedisvacation began on April 21, 2025, with the passing of Pope Francis.
You did your best again, Randy!