Pope Leo XIV Reopens Vatican Apartment Sealed After Pope Francis' Death

Vatican City, May 12, 2025 – In a significant event, Pope Leo XIV today reopened the papal apartment in the Vatican, which had remained sealed since the passing of Pope Francis. The reopening ceremony, captured on video by Vatican Media and shared by NBC News, showed a simple yet poignant act: the cutting of a red ribbon sealing the apartment's entrance. The video then shows Pope Leo XIV entering the previously sealed quarters. This event holds symbolic weight, marking a transition in the papacy and offering a glimpse into the traditions surrounding the passing of a pontiff. The visual record adds a layer of authenticity to the story, allowing the world to witness this solemn moment. The Vatican has not yet released a formal statement on the contents of the apartment or the significance of the reopening.