Popes on the Stamps of Vatican City:
Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica

In 1953, Vatican City issued a 13-stamp set which focused on the Popes who, over the years, were involved in the establishment and reconstruction of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. The set provides images of popes, starting with Saint Peter and spanning to the reigning pope in 1953, Pope Pius XII. Each papal stamp features an aspect of the reconstruction of Saint Peter’s Basilica, a project which spanned over 150 years from the initial commissioning of Bramante in 1503 to the completion of the colonnade in Saint Peter’s Square by Bernini in 1667, as well as the addition of the Sacristy in 1776. Some of the popes pictured have been discussed in detail in previous excerpts in our series, and will be shown here to document their roles in the establishment of Saint Peter's Basilica. Saint Peter: appears on three stamps in this issue. One depicts the tablet with the Latin inscription "Peter, Pray for the Holy People of Christ for Your Body". Two other stamps show images of his tomb: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Saint Peter: Inscription and Tomb Scott 158, 160 and E13 (1953) Sylvester I: Pope Sylvester was discussed under the review of the first millennium popes. The era of his papacy included the building of the original Constantine Basilica over the tomb of Saint Peter: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Sylvester I and Constantine Basilica Scott 161 (1953) Julius II:: sometimes referred to as the "Renaissance Pope" and the "Warrior Pope", Julius II reigned from 1503 to 1513. It was he who engaged Bramante to design the new Saint Peter's Basilica, to replace the crumbling original structure. He left a legacy as being one of the most powerful and influential popes, both culturally and politically, as an important figure of the High Renaissance. In addition to the stamp of this issue, where his image is presented with plans of Bramante, he appeared in two future Vatican stamp issues: the 500th anniversary of Saint Peter's Basilica issue in 2006, and the "Popes of the Renaissance" issue of 2013: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Julius II and Bramante's Plans Scott 162 (1953) 500th Anniversary of Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Julius II and Bramante's Plans Scott 1333 (2006) Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica The Renaissance Popes: Pope Julius II Scott 1539 (2013) Paul III: serving as pope from 1534 to 1549, Pope Paul III's papacy was one of turmoil and change. The Sack of Rome had occurred in 1527, and the Church faced uncertainties in the wake of the Protestant Reformation. During his pontificate, Paul III initiated the Catholic Reformation by calling the Council of Trent in 1545. In addition to the stamp from the Saint Peter's set, where he is pictured with the apse of the Basilica, Pope Paul III also appears on a stamp from the Council of Trent issue from 1946: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Paul III and the Apse Scott 163 (1953) Council of Trent Issue Pope Paul III Scott 121 (1946) Sixtus V: during a five-year pontificate that spanned the years 1585 to 1590, Pope Sixtus V worked to wipe out corruption and lawlessness across Rome. He also started an ambitious rebuilding program in the city. Sixtus V appears in three stamp sets from Vatican City. The Saint Peter's Basilica issue pictures him with the Dome of Saint Peter's, designed by Michelangelo and completed in 1590. He also appears on a stamp (contained in a unique booklet) from the 2010 Vatican Library Reopening set, and the 500th anniversary of his birth is remembered in a two-stamp set from 2021: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Sixtus V and Dome of Saint Peter's Scott 164 (1953) 500th Anniversary of Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Sixtus V: Reopening of the Vatican Library Scott 1451 (2010) Pope Sixtus V: 5th Centenary of Birth Scott 1770-1771 (2021) Paul V: among the accomplishments of Pope Paul V, he financed the completion of St. Peter's Basilica and improved the Vatican Library. He was also a friend of Galileo and supported his work, despite the Church's views on heliocentrism. Paul V reigned as the Bishop of Rome from 1605 to 1621. He is pictured on one of the stamps from the Saint Peter's Basilica issue which shows the façade of the building, into which his name is engraved: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Paul V and Facade Scott 165 (1953) Urban VIII: serving as pope from 1623 to 1644, Pope Urban VIII proclaimed the Holy Year of 1625 and was reviewed during the discussion of that stamp set. For the Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica set, he is pictured along with Bernini's Baldacchino, which was completed and consecrated during his papacy: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Urban VIII and Bernini's Baldacchino Scott 166 (1953) Alexander VII: reigning as pope from 1655 to 1667, Alexander VII is remembered for his interest in architecture and the support of projects in Rome during the Baroque era. He commissioned Bernini to construct the grand colonnade in Saint Peter's Square, which is shown on the stamp of the pope from the Saint Peter's Basilica set. Alexander VII is also remembered on a stamp issued to commemorate the 350th anniversary of his death from 2017: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Alexander VII and the Colonnade of Saint Peter's Scott 167 (1953) 500th Anniversary of Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Alexander VII: 350th Anniversary of Death Scott 1642 (2017) Pius VI: as pope from 1775 to 1799, Pius VI was previously discussed during the review of the stamps from the "Popes of the Holy Years" series. He appears in the Saint Peter's Basilica stamp set due to his commissioning of the construction of the sacristy at Saint Peter's, which is a separate structure connected to the Basilica by two passageways. The Sacristy was inaugurated in 1784: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Pius VI and Sacristy Scott 168 (1953) Pius XII: as the reigning pontiff at the time of the issuance of the Saint Peter's Basilica set in 1953, Pope Pius XII is pictured on two of the stamps of the issue. He was also involved in expanding the excavations of the sepulcher associated with Saint Peter's tomb, now referred to as the Vatican Necropolis, as a result of findings during the digging of the tomb for his predecessor, Pope Pius XI: Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica Pope Pius XII and Roman Sepulcher Scott 159 and E14 (1953)