Discover The Vatican's Room Of Tears: History & Significance

Junius Abernathy 11 May 2025

Ever wondered what happens in those fleeting moments after a new Pope is elected, before the world sees him on the balcony of St. Peter's? The answer lies just a few feet from the Sistine Chapel, in a chamber steeped in history and emotion: the "Room of Tears."

The Room of Tears, known in Italian as the "Stanza delle lacrime" or "Stanza del pianto," is a small, unassuming antechamber nestled within the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. It is here that the newly elected Pope retreats immediately following his acceptance of the papacy. This is no grand, opulent space; rather, it is a simple room designed for a singular, profoundly significant purpose: to allow the new pontiff a moment of private transition before he is presented to the world.

Aspect	Details
Name	Room of Tears (Stanza delle lacrime/Stanza del pianto)
Location	Antechamber within the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City
Purpose	Private transition for newly elected Pope before public appearance
Key Events	Changing into papal cassock, private reflection
Contents	Three sizes of papal vestments, memorabilia (historical)
Emotional Significance	Associated with overwhelming emotion and reflection by new Popes

The significance of this space goes far beyond its physical dimensions. As the faithful in St. Peter's Square erupt in applause and the world holds its breath awaiting the name of the new Pope, the chosen one steps out of the Sistine Chapel and into this chamber. There, assisted by the Master of Liturgical Celebrations, he removes the cardinal's vestments that have defined his role until that very moment. He then dons one of three white papal cassocks prepared in varying sizes, a symbolic act of assuming the mantle of the papacy.

Catholic priest Fr. Kelvin Ugwu offers insightful commentary on the Room of Tears, emphasizing the profound emotional weight carried by the new Pope as he puts on the white cassock for the first time. This moment is often described as overwhelming, sparking a range of reactions from the newly elected pontiff. The name itself, "Room of Tears," alludes to accounts of previous Popes being moved to tears upon realizing the immense responsibility now placed upon their shoulders. Its a moment of profound personal and spiritual reckoning.

The Vatican, on May 7, 2025, at 13:30 PM, will again witness this scene unfold. The newly elected Pope will emerge from the conclave within the Sistine Chapel, walk into the Room of Tears, and begin this transformative process. The Vatican media even released videos of the Room of Tears ahead of the conclave, offering a rare glimpse into this historically private space. These videos showcased the vestments prepared in three different sizes, anticipating the physical stature of the next Pope.

Beyond its practical function, the Room of Tears holds a deeper symbolic weight. It reflects broader themes within the Catholic Church, including the tension between tradition and reform, the psychology of authority, and the inherent opacity of Vatican governance. Some argue that in an era where the Church faces declining public trust, particularly as highlighted by Pew Research in 2023, the symbolism of a hidden, tearful transition can undermine calls for greater transparency. However, others see it as a deeply personal and sacred moment, essential to the gravity of the papacy.

The Room of Tears is more than just a changing room; its a historical repository. Within its walls, one might find memorabilia and documents that offer a tangible connection to the Popes who have come before. It is said that a stole worn by Pius VI's successor, Pius VII, was once kept in the Room of Tears. This Pope Pius faced significant challenges, particularly his conflict with Napoleon, who invaded Italy in 1809 and imprisoned him. During his exile, Pius VII reportedly uttered some of the most memorable lines in papal history, showcasing his resilience and unwavering faith in the face of adversity. The presence of such artifacts within the Room of Tears serves as a constant reminder of the weight of history and the challenges faced by previous pontiffs.

In the grand scheme of the Vatican, the Room of Tears may seem like a small detail. Yet, it encapsulates the human element at the heart of a deeply spiritual and historical institution. While the world focuses on the pronouncements and policies of the papacy, this small chamber serves as a reminder of the personal transition, the emotional weight, and the profound responsibility assumed by each new Pope. Its a space where the individual confronts the institution, and where history and faith converge in a moment of profound significance.

Christopher Whitehead suggests the name "Room of Tears" stems from the fact that the elected individual is overwhelmed by the enormity of the role they are about to undertake. It's a space for the initial outpouring of emotion be it joy, trepidation, or a combination of both.

Consider the scene: on May 7th, the worlds cardinals gather within the Sistine Chapel, commencing the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis. The ballots are cast, the prayers are recited, and the air crackles with anticipation. Once the necessary two-thirds majority is reached, the chosen cardinal is asked if he accepts the role. Upon his acceptance, a new chapter in the history of the Catholic Church begins. But before the world sees the new Pope, he steps into the Room of Tears.

The newly elected Pope will leave the Sistine Chapel at the conclusion of the conclave and walk into a small antechamber, known as the Room of Tears, to change. While the faithful in St. Peters Square applaud and the world awaits the name of the new pope, the newly elected pontiff exits the Sistine Chapel and enters the room of tears. There, with the help of the master of liturgical celebrations, he removes the cardinal's vestment, puts on one of the three prepared papal garments, and spends a moment in reflection.

First images of the 'room of tears', or 'stanza del pianto': The space next to the Sistine Chapel where the newly elected pope withdraws for his first vesting. Here, he puts on the white cassock and pauses in silence. EWtn Vatican (@EWTNVatican) May 6, 2025. But beyond just the practical, the small space holds memorabilia and documents.

As a loyal Catholic and a fiction writer, I find myself drawn to the human stories behind the grand narratives of the Vatican. I am currently writing a positive novel about the Vatican, and the Room of Tears has become a focal point of my research. One detail I was particularly keen to understand was the exact location of the Room of Tears in relation to the Sistine Chapel. In my research, I discovered accounts of a secret room where Renaissance Popes could participate in mass without being the celebrant, adding another layer of intrigue to this already fascinating space. The Room of Tears receives its name as a reference to tears that have been shed by newly elected popes within it. The room is known as the room of tears because there are accounts of previous popes becoming overwhelmed with emotion in the room, and being moved to tears, after their election.

Once elected, the new pope enters the camera lacrimatoria, a small and historical room next to the Sistine Chapel, to change into a set of pontifical choir robes. Sala del pianto with three sizes of papal vestments after he is dressed, the new pope will walk back through the Sistine Chapel, through the Sala Regia and out onto the Benediction Loggia of St.

According to tradition, the chapel was given the nickname the room of tears due to the fact that many of the elected popes wept from the emotion of their new appointment. Though most of us will never step foot in that Vatican chamber, we all have our own rooms of tears. These are the moments of radical decision, fear, vocational discernment, loss, surrender, or inner calling.

The Vatican media has previewed the ballots and other materials for the election and the interior of the Sistine Chapel, where the voting will be held. This small chamber within the chapel is called the Room of Tears, an apparent reference to the tears the new pontiff might shed upon realizing the weight of the papacy that has been put on him.

In the room, there are vestments in 3 different sizes, depending on the size of the new pope. In the Room of Tears, there was also a stole worn by Pius VI's successor, Pius VII. This Pope Pius also ran afoul of the French, who, under Napoleon, invaded Italy in 1809 and took him prisoner. During his grim exile, he did manage to get off one of the greatest lines in papal history.

The space next to the Sistine Chapel where the newly elected pope withdraws for his first vesting is where he pauses in silence. Here, he puts on the white cassock. But beyond just the practical, the small space holds memorabilia and documents.

Broader implications the Room of Tears reflects wider issues in the Catholic Church: The tension between tradition and reform, the psychology of authority, and the opacity of Vatican governance. As the church faces declining trust (Pew Research, 2023), the symbolism of a hidden, tearful transition undermines calls for transparency.