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 Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology (2025) On Tuesday (November 25), Vatican City released what should be the last stamp from its 2025 program. The stamp celebrates the centenary of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology (PIAC). The stamp, jointly issued with the country of Luxembourg, is shown above along with the special post mark for the first day of issue. The Institute was promulgated on March 2, 1925, by Pope Pius XI with the Apostolic Constitution “Ad providentiam”. It is dedicated to the “study, research and enhancement of the Christian archaeological heritage”, and was formed through the efforts of Luxembourg prelate Johann Peter Kirsch, who was its first director. As described in the stamp’s press release, the ”P.I.A.C. is dedicated to the study of the material and literary testimonies of Christianity ancient and early medieval, welcoming students and researchers from all over the world…[and has] contributed in a decisive way to the development of studies on art, inscriptions and monuments of the first Christian communities.”The issue honors the role of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology as: ” a bridge between faith and science, between past and present, recognizing research as a precious tool for knowledge, dialogue and communion among peoples.”The stamp image above shows a portrait of Msgr. Kirsch with the coat of arms of the Institute, which depicts Christ, the "Good Shepherd". The Institute’s headquarters in Rome is also illustrated. The special postmark reflects the elements of the coat of arms. The image of the "Good Shepherd" has appeared on Vatican City stamps in the past, showing the ancient statue of the Good Shepherd which dates to the late 3rd/early 4th century. Here is one example, from 1998:  Italia '98: "The Good Shepherd" Scott 1086 (1998) The press release provides some of the technical aspects of this issue. Produced by Bpost NV in Belgium, the stamp is offset print in four colors, perfed 11 ½, in sheets of 10, with a total of 149,000 stamps in the production run. On a separate topic, Vatican City collectors continue to have challenges ordering and receiving stamps from the Vatican through the CFN website (personally, my orders from July and September are still in limbo). As a note, a check of the CFN website shows that none of the stamps issued in November are available for online purchase. My guess is things are so fouled up that CFN is waiting to get things in order before placing the new stamps up for sale online. For those keeping track, it has been close to 15 months since new stamps have been available for purchase and delivery from CFN to the United States, between the website redesign and the current tariff snafus. Keep hoping and praying as we reach the end of the Jubilee Year of Hope. One VPS member suggested praying to Saint Christopher for intercession and resolution. Personally, I am praying to Saint Jude (the patron saint of lost causes). Happy Thanksgiving! REFERENCE |
