In 2024, the Vatican Post Office and the Philately of the Governorate of Vatican City have released a series of stamps, postcards and aerograms to commemorate significant events that marked the year. These issues celebrate everything from Christmas and Pope Francis’ travels in 2023 to important anniversaries of foundations and historical figures.
Christmas 2024: Stamp, Booklet and Special Postmark
The Christmas 2024 series serves as a symbolic and philatelic prelude to the Jubilee Year, which will begin on December 24, 2024, with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. The stamps feature Christmas elements and graphics associated with the Holy Year, including the official logo of the Jubilee 2025.
- First Stamp (1.25 euros): It depicts the Christmas angel holding a scroll with the inscription “Glory to God and Peace on Earth”, an excerpt from the Gloria hymn. This image reflects the invocation of peace in a world affected by violence and war, emphasizing Pope Francis’ message on the need for peaceful options.
- Second Stamp: It shows Jesus in the manger with the inscription “Spes non confundit” (hope does not disappoint), referring to the Bull of the Jubilee and the motto of the Holy Year “Pilgrims of Hope”. The manger symbolizes the closeness, poverty and concreteness with which Christ enters history to give life to humanity.
Pope Francis’ trips in 2023
The poster dedicated to Pope Francis’ apostolic trips in 2023 depicts the emblematic places and representative figures of the populations visited:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan (January 31–February 5): Represented by a native boy and girl, reflecting the Pope’s invocation for peace in these troubled lands.
- Hungary (April 28-30): With the image of the Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. Stephen in Budapest, where the Pope met with religious leaders and stressed the importance of remaining rooted in God.
- Portugal (August 2-6): The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima illustrates the Pope’s visit during World Youth Day.
- Mongolia (August 31–September 4): Represented by a figure in traditional dress, highlighting the importance of charity and volunteering.
- France (22-23 September): The Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseille commemorates the Pope’s visit, highlighting the Mediterranean as a space of union between different cultures and religions.
Important Anniversaries
- Bicentennial of the Sant’Apollinare Institute (4 November 1824): Celebrating two centuries of the diffusion of knowledge and spiritual values under the protection of the Holy Founder and first Bishop of the Church of Ravenna.
- 75th Anniversary of the Pontifical Alphonsian Academy (9 February 1949): Highlighting its role as a centre of excellence in moral theology, in tune with the Magisterium of the Church and the spirit of St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori.
- 170th Anniversary of the Rededication of St. Paul’s Basilica (10 December 1854): Commemorating the neoclassical reconstruction after the fire of 1823, and the universal mission of the church symbolized by the Apostle Paul.
- 450th Anniversary of the Death of Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574): Paying tribute to the multifaceted artist, architect and art historian, author of “Vite de’ più eccellenti pittori, scultori e architettori”.
- 750th Anniversary of the Death of St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1221-1274): Commemorating the Franciscan theologian and philosopher, Doctor of the Church, whose doctrine subordinates philosophy to theology, highlighting the importance of the Trinity and the inner dimension of man in the search for God.
These philatelic issues not only celebrate historical and religious events, but also offer an opportunity to reflect on the spiritual and cultural values that have marked the history of the Church and of humanity.
