Sede Vacante is a period that spans from the death or resignation of the Pope to the election of his successor Pope Francis passed away on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88. He was the 266th head of the Roman Catholic Church. His demise set off a period known as Sede Vacante, which means a "vacant seat." Sede Vacante Sede Vacante is a period that spans from the death or resignation of the Pope to the election of his successor. At this time the life of the entire church comes almost to a complete