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 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). The obverse of the 2 Euro commemorative coin of Sede Vacante depicts the Camerlengo coat of arms beneath the symbol of the Apostolic Camera, and the script "Citta del Vaticano" and "Sede Vacante MMXXIII", designed by artist Patrizio Daniele. The silver and gold commemorative coins of Sede Vacante on the obverse depict the dove of the Holy Spirit and the word VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS, and on the reverse the Camerlengo coat of arms beneath the symbol of the Apostolic Camera, and the script "Citta del Vaticano" and "Sede Vacante MMXXIII". The 5 € silver and 10 € gold have been designed by Mariangela Crisciotti and Maria Grazia Urbani respectively. |