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First Anniversary of the
Election of Pope Leo XIV

Lou Giorgetti

Pope Leo XIV
May 8, 2025
“Habemus Papam" (We have a Pope)! That is what we heard proclaimed from the central loggia of Saint Peter’s Basilica one year ago today. Shortly after the announcement, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost stepped out and was introduced as the Church's 267th pope. He took the name Pope Leo XIV. In a truly historic turn of events, the Church had its first American-born pope.

The pope’s biography has been voluminously documented, starting with his birth in suburban Chicago in 1955, through his ministry in Peru. He was created as cardinal in 2023 by Pope Francis, and he would succeed him less than two years later. Two words that come to mind in looking back at the first year of the pontificate of Leo XIV would be “active” and “visible”. He has participated in innumerable events over the course of the year, over and above the usual Wednesday audiences and Sunday blessings from the balcony overlooking Saint Peter’s Square. He has also brought back some of the trappings and traditions of the papacy, starting with his first appearance on last May 8 (wearing the traditional white cassock, red mozzetta and ornate stole) and the return to Castel Gandolfo for his Tuesday “days off” and summer vacation. In addition to his election and inauguration, two memorable events depicted on Vatican City stamps from his first year would be his presiding over the canonization of the two young saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati in September, and his first foreign pilgrimage trip to Türkiye and Lebanon, with his commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea as part of that journey.

Events from 2025:
Canonizations of Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati
Commemoration of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea

Pope Leo and Vatican Philately

At the time of his election, much was made of his choice of the name “Leo”. The immediate connection was made to the most recent pope of that name, Pope Leo XIII, who served from1878 to 1903. Leo is the fourth most-common papal name, with the popularity of the name Leo most likely due to the first, Pope Saint Leo I (also frequently referred to as Pope Leo the Great), one of the most important popes of all time. Prior to the latest Pope Leo, five of the popes named Leo have appeared on stamps issued by Vatican City. Here is a sampling of each Pope Leo on stamps:

Pope Saint Leo I (Pope Leo the Great) (served as pope from 440-461):

Scott 150 (1951) and Scott 301 (1961)

Pope Saint Leo IX (1049-1054):

Scott 1225 and 1227 (2002)

Pope Leo X (1513-1521):

Scott 1540 (2013)

Pope Leo XII (1823-1829):

Scott 1143 (2000)

Pope Leo XIII (1878-1903):

Scott 884 (1991) and Scott 1145 (2000)

In keeping with recent history, the Vatican Post Office has begun releasing stamps picturing Pope Leo XIV. To date, two sets have been released: one following his election in 2025 and a second in 2026 marking the second year of his pontificate. Two additional “Pope Leo” releases due in 2026 will be a stamp marking the first anniversary of his election (which will be released today, May 8) and the annual papal travels issue for his 2025 trip. Also, in keeping with his public presence during the past year, the pope attended at least two events where he signed enlarged posterboards picturing Vatican City stamp releases and special postmarks: last June for the stamp honoring composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and in late April for the anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Vatican State news articles on those two events can be accessed in the References.