The official papal throne sat empty on Wednesday, April 30, as the conclave to pick the next pope approached.
The little-known seat, also known as the cathedra, is located in the Basilica of St. John Lateran and is where each new pope is formally installed as Bishop of Rome.
The basilica is one of the oldest in Rome having been built in the 4th century, with historical links to the Church dating further back than the Vatican. Roman Catholic cardinals will begin the secret conclave to elect the Church's 267th pontiff and a successor to Pope Francis on May 7.
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