NEW STAMPS

 The Vatican has issued its first official postage stamps featuring Pope Leo XIV.  Issued May 27, the commemorative set includes four stamps depicting key moments from the new pontiff’s first public appearances in early May.  The images portray the Holy Father blessing the crowd after his election, smiling in the Pauline Chapel, and praying in quiet contemplation.

Two of the stamps show Pope Leo XIV during his inaugural blessing in St. Peter’s Square on May 8, when he was formally introduced to the world. The other two highlight the pope celebrating Mass in the Sistine Chapel on May 9, which marked the official beginning of his ministry.

 Each stamp includes the inscription “Leone PP. XIV” along with “Anno I S.P. MMXXV,” referencing the first year of his reign.

 A total of 390,000 stamps were printed, and are now available through the Vatican’s Philatelic and Numismatic Office. For years we collected Vatican stamps as we had “insiders” in the Vatican who could go to the office for us.

These stamps not only represent the spiritual life of the church, but are a means of historic record keeping.

 For collectors of Vatican issues, the Pope Leo XIV release is expected to become a sought-after modern classic