“Sede Vacante” in the Vatican

March 01, 2013 - With the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI at 8.00 pm local time, Thursday, began the so called “Sede Vacante” or ‘Empty See,” when the governance of the Catholic Church shifted to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, who along with the world’s cardinals will now guide the Church and make plans for the conclave to elect the 266^th Pontiff of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics. With the “Sede Vacante” Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone ceased to be Vatican Secretary of State. The offices of the prefects of 9 congregations and presidents of 11 pontifical councils of the Roman Curia also came to an end. One of the first tasks of Cardinal Bertone, now functioning as Camerlengo or Chamberlain, was to seal the papal apartment inside the Vatican. In another task steeped in symbolism, he ensured that Pope Benedict's fisherman's ring and seal were broken and destroyed. The offices that continue for matters concerning the pastoral care of souls during the Sede Vacante are the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Camerlengo, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Major Peniterntiary, the Vicar of Rome Diocese, the Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vicar General of Vatican City. The Substitute of the Secretariat of State, the Secretary for Relations with States, the Secretaries of the Curial Departments and the papal Almoner also remain in office, all answerable to the College of Cardinals. The Papal Representatives abroad however continue at their diplomatic missions and their accreditations do not lapse.