Vatican – 2 Euro Sede Vacante, 2013
On 13 March 2013 the Cardinal Electors, gathered for the conclave, chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the 266th Successor of Peter. During the period of the vacancy of the Apostolic See (Sede Vacante), the ordinary governance was assured by the Apostolic Camera, presided over by the Cardinal Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, and composed of the Vice-Camerlengo and the Prelate Clerics.
Vatican – 5 Euro Silver Sede Vacante, 2013
Vatican – 10 Euro Gold Sede Vacante, 2013
On 11 February 2013, Pope Benedict announced his resignation in a speech in Latin before the cardinals, citing a “lack of strength of mind and body” due to his advanced age. His resignation became effective on 28 February 2013. He is the first pope to resign since Pope Gregory XII in 1415, and the first to do so on his own initiative since Pope Celestine V in 1294.
On 13 March 2013 the Conclave chose Jorge Mario Bergoglio (Francis) as the 266th Pope. To commemorate the transition of the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican City has the right to mint coins of Sede Vacante for the 13 days of vacancy of the Holy See. This tradition has historical roots in the fourteenth century, but became a custom starting from the death of Leo X in 1521.
In June 2013, the Vatican City will be issuing three commemorative coins to mark this occasion: 2 Euro BU (mintage 111,000), 5 Euro Silver Proof (mintage 7,000), and 10 Euro Gold Proof (mintage 5,000). Continue reading
