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 Inauguration of Pope John Paul II (Scott 649, 1979) Papal Visits to Poland, Pope John Paul II (Scott 1265d, 2005) Over the course of the year, the Vatican Philatelic Society Daily Emails have presented numerous articles related to the remarkable life and ministry of Pope Saint John Paul II. His memory is still fresh in the minds of most of us, having served as pope from 1978 to 2005. Last Wednesday, April 2, 2025, marked the 20th anniversary of his death. John Paul II was elected pope in 1978, with his papacy beginning on October 16. His reign lasted for over 26 years and ended with his death on April 2, 2005. He was the third-longest reigning pope, his time as pope surpassed only by the first pope, Saint Peter (approximately 34 to 37 years) and Pope Pius IX (31 years). The two stamps at the top of this article represent the first (Scott 646, 1979) and last (Scott 1265d, 2004) stamps issued by Vatican City while he was alive as pope. In today’s Email, we look at two stamp sets issued following his death, coincidentally on the same date, April 12. 
 Sede Vacante Issue Scott 1292-1294 (2005) The stamp set above, issued on April 12, 2005, was the Sede Vacante set released following his death. The UFN announcement for the stamps provides an excellent review of Sede Vacante stamps and can be accessed using the link in the references. The following text is taken from the release: ”On the day of April 2, 2005, the Holy Father John Paul II died. The Papal See is vacant….In this time, ordinary government is ensured by the Apostolic Camera, chaired by the Cardinal Camerlingo…The issue of Vacant Papal See stamps is intended to commemorate the event and ensure the continuity of the issue of postal stamps, to be used to send correspondence from Vatican City only during the period of the Vacant Papal See itself.”Sede Vacante stamps have traditionally incorporated an image of the heraldic arms of the Apostolic Camera (two keys in saltire surmounted by a canopy). The image used in the stamps above comes from a drawing of the image seen in a fresco by Carlo Malli, dating to the papacy of Pope Benedict XIV in the mid-1700’s.  Beatification of Pope John Paul II Scott 1471 (2011) Six years later, the second stamp was released, on April 12, 2011. The stamp was issued to celebrate the upcoming beatification of Pope John Paul II. The stamp, jointly issued with Poland, announced the beatification ceremony which was being held on May 1, 2011. Calls for the naming of the pope as a saint started immediately after his death, including shouts of "Santo Subito!" ("[Make him a] Saint Immediately!") during his funeral Mass. Pope Benedict XVI announced the start of the beatification process on May 12, 2005, citing John Paul's “reputation of holiness”. The review culminated in the raising of Pope John Paul II to the status of “Blessed”, and he was subsequently canonized by Pope Francis April 27, 2014.  Beatification of Pope John Paul II: Minisheet Scott 1471M (2011) REFERENCES: |
