The Polish Post has honored the pontificate of Pope Francis
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis, Poczta Polska introduced a new postage stamp. The value is thanks to the Holy Father for his spiritual leadership to the Catholic Church around the world.
Exactly ten years ago, on March 13, 2013, on the second day of the conclave, the Archbishop of Metropolitan Buenos Aires and Primate of Argentina - Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected 266. Pope of the Catholic Church, taking the name Francis. Thus, the Holy Father indicated a pattern that he saw in the attitude of St. Francis of Assisi.
For ten years of pontificate, Pope Francis, through pilgrimages, meetings, speeches, homilies and published documents, consistently realizes the path of brotherhood and dialogue, changing step by step the face of the Church.
During the decade of his rule in the church, the Holy Father created many important theological works, including The ecological encyclical "Laudato SI", "Declaration about human brotherhood", written in cooperation with the great Al-Azhar imam or the related encyclical about the interreligious dialogue "Fratelli Tutti".
The Holy Father in the lens of Grzegorz Gałązka
Grzegorz Gałązka, author of the photo used in the graphic design of the stamp, is one of the most famous papal photographers with indefinite accreditation in the Vatican . In the photo he captured the profile of the smiling Pope Francis, raising his hand in a gesture during last year's Way of the Cross in Rome. The photo of the Holy Father in a white cassock selected for the stamp against the background of the red cover of the chair refers to Polish national colors: white and red.
Symbolism of the coat of arms of Pope Francis
In addition to the stamp, Poczta Polska also released an envelope on the first day of circulation (FDC), on which the coat of arms of Pope Francis was placed. In the background of a dark blue shield there are symbols of papal dignity. In the upper part of the shield there is the emblem of the Jesus Society - the order from which the Pope comes from. At the bottom there is a star to symbolize Mary Miss, Mother of Christ and Church. Next to the star, there was a flower of Narsdu, whose branch in the iconographic tradition is depicted as an attribute of St. Józef, patron of the universal church. Above the heraldic shield there is a papal tiara with three horizontal golden belts marking governance, resolving and teaching. The motto "Miserando Atque Eligendo" was placed under the shield referring to the biblical description of the appointment of a celler of Levi. According to heraldic principles, there are Piotr keys behind the shield meaning apostolic succession and the full power of the Bishop of Rome. The FDC envelope also includes a date stamp with a papal coat of arms, name and date of issue: "10. Anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis. "
Historical emissions of Poczta Polska with the image of Pope Francis
The first stamp with the image of Pope Francis was put into circulation in 2016. He appeared in several publishing forms, on which Pope Francis greeting a group of young people was presented.
The stamps from 2016 are a joint broadcast of Poland and the Vatican to capture the World Youth Day in Krakow, during which the Holy Father honored all those gathered with his presence. Along with the stamps, a philatelic rarity was also published in the form of black -core.
In 2016, Poczta Polska also issued a card with a printed post fee sign dedicated to the short visit of Pope Francis in Jasna Góra at our Black Madonna, which he has special love. He went there on the way back to Rome from World Youth Day.
About the stamp:
Author of the Stamp's project: Poczta Polska
Number of stamps: 1
Value: PLN 4.00
Edition: PLN 128,000 Pcs.
Print technique: offset
format stamp: 51mm x 31.25 mm
Paper: Fluorescent
date of introduction into circulation: 13.03.2023.