What artwork is featured in the special Vatican postmark commemorating the 2025 “Habemus Papam” announcement?
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| The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo |
| The School of Athens by Raphael |
| The Primacy of Peter tapestry by Pieter van Aelst after Raphael |
| The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci |
Your answer was: The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo. |
Answer: 
The phrase “Habemus Papam”—Latin for “We have a Pope”—is one of the most iconic declarations in the Catholic Church. It marks the moment when the Cardinal Protodeacon steps onto the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to announce the election of a new Pope to the world. In 2025, this moment was immortalized not only in history but also in philately.
To commemorate the election of Pope Leone XIV, the Vatican’s Philatelic and Postal Service issued a special postmark dated May 8, 2025, the day of the Habemus Papam proclamation. The circular postmark, 38 mm in diameter, features a striking detail from the tapestry “The Primacy of Peter” (Pasce oves meas), woven by the Flemish master Pieter van Aelst based on a design by Raphael. Originally created for the Sistine Chapel, the tapestry depicts Christ entrusting Peter with the care of His flock—symbolizing the foundational role of the papacy.
This postmark complements the official Vatican stamp series issued later that month, which features Pope Leone XIV’s first public appearances and his message of peace. Together, the stamp and postmark form a powerful visual and spiritual tribute to the continuity of the Petrine ministry and the Church’s mission in the modern world.
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