The Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of Vatican City State announces the new series of philatelic issues that will be distributed on February 26, 2026. These are six issues intended to commemorate anniversaries and events related to the Popes, international relations, and Easter.

Folder, commemorative envelope, stamp and special postal postmark  dedicated  to the Cathedral of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Kyiv, Ukraine

To commemorate a triple anniversary related to the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine, a limited-edition commemorative folder with envelope, a stamp, and a special postmark  , all dedicated to Kyiv Cathedral, will be issued. These issues mark the 12th anniversary of the consecration of the Kyiv Greek Catholic Cathedral, the 20th anniversary of the return of the See of the Head and Father of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church from Lviv to Kyiv, and the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of the Kyiv Metropolis.

The philatelic product includes a folder, priced at 10.00 euros, with a commemorative envelope illustrated with the image of the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, franked with a 1.35 euro stamp, which depicts a view of the Cathedral itself, immersed in twilight due to the lack of lighting, to underline the ongoing conflict.

Consecrated in 2013, the Cathedral represents the spiritual and institutional center of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, born from the ordeal of the 20th-century persecutions and a point of reference for the faithful both in the country and in the diaspora.

Special postal stamp and postmark  commemorating  the 6th centenary of the apparition of the Virgin of Monte Berico

The 1.30 euro stamp and the corresponding special postal postmark are dedicated to the six hundredth anniversary of the apparition of the Virgin Mary on the hill of Monte Berico.

According to tradition, on March 7, 1426, the Virgin Mary appeared to Vincenza Pasini during a devastating plague epidemic, calling the population to prayer, conversion, and penance, and promising an end to the scourge. In a second apparition on August 1, 1428, Mary renewed her message and requested the construction of a church in her honor on the hill. Thus was born the Sanctuary of Monte Berico, destined to become, over the centuries, one of the most important centers of Marian devotion.

The stamp reproduces the 15th-century statue of the Virgin of Monte Berico, sculpted from the local stone of the Colli Berici. The image alludes to the theme of Our Lady of Mercy, who protects the faithful under her open mantle.

The stamp is accompanied by a special postmark  , “die emissionis ,” which reproduces a detail of Our Lady of Mercy. The postmark is completed by the inscriptions: “First Apparition of Monte Berico 1426 – 2026,” “Poste Vaticane,” “die emissionis 26.02.2026,” and “VI Centenary.”

150th anniversary of the birth of Pius XII

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Eugenio Pacelli, the Spanish Postal and Philatelic Service is offering a philatelic sheet and a special postmark  . Pacelli was Pope from 1939 to 1958, taking the name Pius XII, and guided the Church through one of the most dramatic periods of the 20th century. He distinguished himself through intense diplomatic activity during World War II and through his particularly significant doctrinal teachings, marked in particular by the proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption in 1950.

The philatelic sheet reproduces the famous portrait of Pius XII made in 1949 by the painter Leonard Boden, kept in the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo.

The postmark depicts an image of Pius XII in the act of blessing. The stamp is completed with the following inscriptions: “150th Anniversary of the birth of Pius XII,” “Poste Vaticane,” and “Die emissionis 26.02.2026.”

Second centenary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Brazil

In 2026, two hundred years of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Federative Republic of Brazil will be celebrated, initiated on January 23, 1826 with the presentation to Leo XII of the credentials of the first Brazilian representative, the day after the independence of the South American country.

Over two centuries of relations, dialogue between the two communities has developed steadily, based on institutional cooperation and convergence on issues of international importance such as the promotion of peace, social justice, environmental protection, and attention to the Amazon region. In Brazil, home to the world’s largest Catholic community, the Church’s presence continues to play a significant role in education, healthcare, and charitable work.

The stamp, valued at €2.55, reproduces the official Bicentennial logo, designed by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and the artist Evelyn Grumach. It depicts the profile of the Cross combined with the borders of Brazilian territory.

The postmark reproduces the official logo of the event and is completed with the inscriptions: «200th Diplomatic Relations Holy See – Brazil», «Vatican Post» and «Die emissionis 26.02.2026».

Easter 2026

As is tradition, one issue is dedicated to the solemnity of Easter, the center and culmination of the liturgical year and of the Christian faith. The stamp, with a value of 1.35 euros, reproduces the Resurrection of Christ, a work by Domenico Cresti, known as Il Passignano, housed in the Vatican Pinacoteca. The composition, built upon an intense contrast of light and shadow, represents Christ triumphant over sin and death.

The postmark accompanying the issue features the commemorative legends “Poste Vaticane” and “Die emissionis 26.02.2026”.

Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV – 2026

One series is dedicated to the first year of Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate. The issue consists of four stamps which, through four portraits, depict significant moments in the Pope’s pastoral and liturgical service.

The images on the four stamps (€1.30, €1.35, €2.55, and €3.35) evoke emblematic celebrations of the past year: the Mass for the Jubilee of Families, which recalls the central role of the family unit in the transmission of faith; the Mass for the Jubilee of the Missionary World and Migrants, a sign of openness and attention to the most vulnerable; the celebration of the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, a testament to youthful holiness; and, finally, the Mass for the repose of Pope Francis, an expression of apostolic continuity and the profound spiritual bond between the Popes.

The postmark reproduces an elaboration of the papal portrait used for the mosaic located in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, accompanied by the inscriptions: “Leo PP. XIV – MMXXVI – Die emissionis 26.02.2026” and “Poste Vaticane”.