Current Position: Earth Sector, U.S.A. Outpost, Breakroom Module 3
Mission Status: Update of situation with Vatican Post Office and CFN order processing
As reported earlier the Vatican does not provide a procedure to order special postmarked stamped covers for newly issued stamps. Everyone is well aware that the Vatican CFN sales unit was shut down in October of 2024 and re-opened July 28th, 2025. Pervious to the shutdown, Vatican stamp collectors could order special postmarked stamped covers from the Vatican CFN sales unit and get order special postmarked stamped covers with either a philatelic postmark or the special postmark prepared and used on the date of the stamp issue.Since the re-opening of the Vatican CFN sales unit the Vatican Philatelic Society has been communicating with Vatican Post Office and the Vatican CFN sales unit to get a procedure whereby overseas Vatican can obtain such special postmarked stamped and also obtain special stamp folders issued by the Vatican Post Office. We have sent exchanged emails with Vatican Post Office and CFN sales officials. We have also sent formal letters (mailed September 25, 2025) to Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Commission for Vatican City, with copies to the Directors of the Vatican Post Office and the CFN. To date, we have not received a reply from Sr. Raffaella or either Director.
One VPS member has written to Pope Leo XIV. So far, no response has been received.
Many Vatican Stamp Society members quickly placed and paid for orders with the Vatican CFN sales unit when it reopened. We noticed several issues of concern about these orders over that last several months. CFN order processing seems to be taking around 90 days to be processed, then apparently a completed package is being turned over to United Parcel Services (UPS). However, review of the Vatican CFN order processing tracking information may indicate order completion and UPS shipment, but when we communicated UPS we were told the Vatican has not turned over these order shipment packages to them.
Apparently for Vatican Philatelic Society members things are not going well with Vatican stamp communication, stamp order processing, or stamp order shipment. Most VPS members have not received stamps from the Vatican in over one year. Frustrations are very, very high among VPS members! Collecting Vatican stamps has always been challenging. The question facing us, is it becoming impossible?
The phrase "Una disconnessione senza eguali" translates to:"A disconnection without equal"
or more naturally:
"An unparalleled disconnection"
Order Inquiry Received From Vatican CFN 11/06/2025
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Dear Mr Lanahan,
We have asked and are still waiting to receive from the Vatican Post the complete list of shipments destined to Canada and the USA, which are still blocked. Once we have this information, we will be able to provide you with a clear and correct reply.
I have asked Poste Vaticane for more information regarding a possible shipment date. They will let us know as soon as possible, after which I will inform you.
I apologise for the delay, that is beyond our control ,and for any inconvenience this may cause.
Kind regards
Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica
Direzione dell’Economia
Governatorato S.C.V.
00120 CittĂ del Vaticano
Order Inquiry Received From Vatican CFN 11/27/2025
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Dear Customer,
Thank you for your message. We would like to inform you that your July 2025 order has been prepared and will be shipped soon. We apologize for the delay, which is due to the high number of orders we are currently handling.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Kind regards,
Sonja (operatore 314)
Commercializzazione Filatelica e Numismatica
Direzione dell’Economia
Governatorato S.C.V.
00120 CittĂ del Vaticano
info.cfn@scv.va
www.cfn.va
VPSrobot