Pope Francis - Coat of Arms

Marco Foppoli on spectacular form with the arms of Pope Francis.

Salve

Un cordialissimo saluto dalla Scozia a Clemente Petracca, Lecce.

Meanwhile in the Vatican Gardens ...

Sede Vacante first-day cover

The Camerlengo seals the papal apartments

Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone, Camerlengo of the Church, seals the papal apartments using his baton of office. The doors bear the arms of Pope Pius IX Mastai-Ferretti 1846-1878.

Euge bone serve et fidelis

We wish His Holiness Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI a long, happy and prayerful retirement as we head for a new phase in the life of the Catholic Church.

Pope Benedict's Arms by Marco Foppoli

The Arms of "sede vacante" - "the Empty Seat" including those of

Cardinal Bertone, currently in charge of the Church as camerlengo. The image is

by Giuseppe Quattrociocchi