POPE FRANCIS
Pope Francis is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church residing in Vatican City. His real name is Fr. Jorge Mario Bergoglio and he is a citizen of Argentina. Pope Francis took the name Francis in reverence to St. Francis of Assissi. Jesus tols St. Francis to built his church and that's what has been the Pope's agenda right from the beginning. He is the epitome of change in the catholic church.
He is the first Pope ever from South America and the 11th non- European Pope. I personally love the attitude and simplicity of this Pope and that's what inspired me to start a collection of stamps on Pope Francis which I'm loving now. Two Popes is a 2019 film portraying Pope Francis.
I'm listing some of the philatelic materials I have on Pope Francis. Lot more to collect though. Enjoy!!!
ARGENTINA
Argentina is the he country of Pope Francis and so it is obvious that the country issues a stamp on him. The stamp issued was in 2013 showing the appointment of the New Pope. It is a joint issue with the Vatican although I have only the Argentina part of the issue. It is a set of four stamps with the face value in Argentine Peso. Correo Oficial de la República Argentina, the official postal service of Argentina made the issue. Below is what I have in my collection.
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Argentine part of joint issue with Vatican (2013)
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BURUNDI
Burundi is a very small landlocked country in Africa. The capital is Bujumbura. The country is dominated by the ethnic group Hutu. The people have Burundi have seen a lot of adverse circumstances but lets lot not go to that in detail. Drumming is an important part of the cultural tradition in Burundi. Poste au Burundi controls the postal service of Burundi and has issued a number of stamps on Pope Francis.
In 2013 Pope Francis visited Brazil for the World Youth Day and Poste au Burundi issued stamps commemorating the occasion.
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| Year of issue is 2013 |
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| Year of issue: 2013 |
There are some others issued by Burundi in my collection commemorating Pope Francis.
BRAZIL
World Youth Day 2013 was organized in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was the second ever one of its kind to be organised in Latin America. It was presided by Pope Francis and attended by over 3 million people. Correios Brasil issued a stamp on Pope Francis commemorating the occasion. Though I don't have the MNH stamp yet I received one on a cover sent by my friend Fabio.
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| Year of issue: 2013 |
TOGO
Togo is a country in West Africa. Here the official language is French. Togo has issued many stamps on Pope Francis. The two sets in my collection are miniature sheets.
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La Poste, Togo issued the MS in 2013
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The other issue I have in my humble collection shows the 1st Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis as Pope.
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| La Poste, Togo issue: 2014 |
PHILIPPINES
Philippines is predominantly a Catholic country and one of the most devout group of people. They are really friendly people. PHLPOST is the official postal authority of Philippines. A stamp was issued in 2014 commemorating the 1st anniversary of election of Pope Francis as Pope which is part of my collection.
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| PHLPOST issue : 2014 |
Pope Francis made a pastoral visit to the Philippines in the month of January in the year 2015. The theme of the visit was Mercy and Compassion. PHLPOST issued a few stamps commemorating the visit. This is what I've got.
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| PHLPOST issue: 2015 |
PARAGUAY
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| Correo Nacional Paraguayo issue: 2015 |
Paraguay is a Latin American country which is famous for its music and endemic fruits. Pope Francis went on an apostolic journey to Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay in the month of July 2015. Correo Nacional Paraguayo, the postal authority of Paraguay issued stamps commemorating the visit. I have some of them in my humble collection.
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| Correo Nacional Paraguayo issue: 2015 |
NIGER
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| Poste Niger issue: 2015 |
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| Poste Niger issue: 2015 |
Niger is a country in West Africa birdered in the south by Nigeria. Most people confuse Niger for Nigeria but both are different countries. Niger is predominantly French speaking. Poste Niger is the postal authority of Niger. They issued a number of stamps of Pope Francis based on different themes. I have only two Miniature sheets in my humble collection.
KINGDOM OF TONGA
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Tonga Post Ltd. issue : 2015
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Tonga is a collectivity of islets in the Pacific Ocean know as The Friendly Isles. It's called Kingdom of Tonga. King Tupou VI is the present king of Tonga. In 2015 the King and Queen of Tonga had visited Pope Francis at the Vatican. Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi is the first ever cardinal from Tonga. He was appointed cardinal at the age of 53 and became the youngest member of the college of cardinals at that age. He was appointed Cardinal on 14 February 2015. Tonga Post Ltd. , the postal service of Tonga issued a few stamps commemorating the appointment of the cardinal by Pope Francis. I have this one MS in my collection regarding the event.
REPUBLIC OF KOREA (SOUTH KOREA)
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| Korea Post issue: 2015 |
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| A cover in my collection |
The Catholic Church in South Korea is the fastest growing in East Asia. Pope Francis became the 2nd Pope to visit South Korea after Pope John Paul II in 2014 for the beautification of the 124 Korean Martyrs and also the sixth Asian Youth Day. It was his 1st visit to Asia on becoming pontiff. Korea Post issued a set of 2 stamps commemorating the visit.
POLAND
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| Poczta Polska issue: 2016 |
Poland is a country that has seen a lot right from the first shot of the Second World War being fired to the emergence of the popular Saint Pope John Paul II. On 31 July 2016, the 15th World Youth Day took place in Krakow, Poland. The theme of this Youth Day was all about mercy endorsing Jesus'
saying, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy". Pope Francis presided the occasion. Poczta Polska, the postal authority of Poland issued stamps commemorating the occasion.
IRELAND
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| See the postmark |
Ireland is a Catholic dominant country and so many Popes have visited Ireland. 9th World meeting of Families 2018, took place in Dublin, Ireland and it culminated in Pope Francis' visit to Ireland. The main ceremony took place in the Archdiocese of Dublin. Pope Francis when a priest had spent his time studying English in Dublin, Ireland in 1980. So this visit was down the memory lane for him. But it was filled with controversies. The Pope signed the visitors' book with the following message: "With gratitude for the warm welcome I have received. I assure you and the people of Ireland of my prayers that almighty god may guide and protect you all. Francis". My collection has a First Day Cover and Mini Sheet issued by An Post commemorating the beautiful ceremony.
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| An Post issue: 2018 |
SWITZERLAND
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| Swiss Post issue: 2018 |
Pope visited Switzerland on 21 June 2018. The aim was to address the World Council of Churches and also to discuss peace initiatives for Syria. Thwe World Council of Churches headquarters is at Geneva. Swiss Post issued a single stamp commemorating the occasion. This is what I have in my collection.
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| Cover I received with the stamp postmarked at Kriens |
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| First Day Cover of the Issue |
CHILE
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| First Day Cover with wonderful postmark |
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| Correos de Chile issue: 2015 |
On 15 January, 2018 Pope Francis arrived in Chile amidst a tense atmosphere with the Chile's Catholic Church in debt and nationwide protests and recent incidence of violence. The Pope took his part in calming the nation, met with families of people murdered by Augusto Pinochet and then showed his love for Chile. Chile is neighbour of Argentina, Pope Francis' home country. Correos de Chile issued a beautiful stamp commemorating Pope Francis' visit. A generous friend in Chile send it to me.
PERU
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| SERPOST issue : 2018 |
Immediately after Pope Francis' visit to Chile he arrived in Peru which was to convene on 21 January 2018. He spoke for the rights and the dangers faced by the Amazon Rainforest tribes. The Peruvians gave the Pope a really warm welcome with much entertainment. Serpost issued a set of 4 stamps commemorating his visit.
COSTA RICA
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| Back |
Correos de Costa Rica issued a stamp featuring Pope Francis in 2014 but I'm still awaiting that stamp. By the way, in 2018 a postcard was issued which I have in my collection. This is it below.
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| Front |
LITHUANIA
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| From a card in my collection. 2018 issue: Pope Francis visit to Lithuania |
The apostolic visits of Pope Francis to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia were from 22 to 25 September 2018. On 22 September Pope Francis arrived at Lithuania's capital of Vilnius.
Lietuvos Paštas, the postal authority of Lithuania issued a stamp commemorating the event. I received a postcard with the stamp recently.
LATVIA
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| Latvijas Pasts 2018 issue commemorating the visit of Pope Francis |
Pope Francis then travelled to Latvia on 24 September 2018 and held a prayer service at Riga's main catholic cathedral. Latvijas Pasts, the postal authority issued a stamp commemorating the occasion which again I received on a postcard in my collection.
VATICAN CITY
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| Poste Vaticane 2018 issue |
Without much doubt, Vatican City might have issued most number of stamps on Pope Francis but I have only one and that too on a postcard. This reflects how my friends from different countries helped build my collection and I do not have a friend from Vatican. Anyway here is the stamp I have.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
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| Emirates Post issue: 2019 |
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| The stamp from a postcard I received |
United Arab Emirates made history becoming the first Muslim state to invite the Pope. The arrangements they made for the Pope's visit was like no one can imagine. I have always admired this country as I used to live here once upon a time. My parents were lucky enough to meet the Pope on his visit and attended the service. Emirates Post issued a beautiful stamp commemorating the occasion. Agood friend send it ti me as Christmas gift and one was on a postcard.
BULGARIA
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| Poșta Română 2019 issue |
Pope Francis visited Romania in the month May which included a visit to the historical region of Transylvania. Here the Pope spoke to a large crowd in the rain and spoke that supporting the poor is the key to Romania's success. Poșta Română, issued a beautiful stamp commemorating the visit, the MS of which became part of my collection after much hardwork.
MADAGASCAR
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| Paositra Malagasy 2019 issue |
Pope Francis arrived in Madagascar on 7 September, 2019. He encouraged the people to build history in fraternity and solidarity. He considers Madagascar a blessed land with its ecosystem and good people. Paositra Malagasy, the postal authority of Madagascar issued stamps on Pope Francis. All are not part of my collection. I have one of them though.
MAURITIUS
The Pope's visit to Mauritius was just one day after he departed from Madagascar and was then transported back to Madagascar but the people were happy as it was history. A 100,000 trees were ordered to be planted commemorating the visit by the cardinal there. Mauritius Post issued a beautiful stamp commemorating his visit. I have a cover as well with Pope and Gandhi stamps.
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| A cover in my collection |
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| Mauritius Post Ltd. issue: 2019 |
THAILAND
Pope Francis' visit to Thailand was between 20-23 November 2019. A beautiful limited edition MS was issued by Thai Post commemorating the occasion. It is by far the most difficult find in my collection. Really lucky and happy.
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| Thai Post 2019 issue |
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