|
In the publication output of the Polish Post can
be found many philatelic values dedicated to the person of the pope
John Paul II. The presented now post stamps have however a special
quality because they commemorate the 25th anniversary of the
pontificate of the Holy Father. The Uniqueness of the foregoing issue
is also emphasized by the fact that it was created as a result of the
co-operation between Polish Post and Vatican Post.
The presented on the post stamps pictures create a kind of a
philatelic chronicle because each of these stamps documents the most
important events of the successive years of John Paul II pontificate.
Our wish was that the stamps reflect the riches and variety of the
activities undertaken by the Holy Father. They reveal the Pope as a
persistent pilgrim carrying the happy message about God's Compassion,
the consoler of those who suffer, statesman breaking political and
religious barriers, appealing for peace.
The set together in one sheet post stamps are
bringing reflection about the contribution of the Holy Father in the
process of religious, social and political unification of the world.
Particular stamps have reference to the following events:
16 October1978 - the outset of the pontificate of John Paul II. The
picture presents the Holy Father on the Balcony of the Blessings of
Saint Peter Basilica.
2 June 1979 - the first pilgrimage to Poland. On
the picture John Paul II during the mass at the Victory Square in
Warsaw. It is here that were formulated the words " Let your spirit
descend and renew the visage of the Earth, this Earth".
31 May 1980 - the visit to France. The picture
presents the Holy Father during a meeting with French youth at the
stadium Parc des Princes in Paris.
13 May 1981 - the picture presents the attempt
against Saint Father. The Turkish terrorist Ali Agca has attacked the
Pope at 17: 19. The shots have been fired when John Paul II blessing
the worshippers was making the second round of the Saint Peter Square.
The saving of his life the Pope explains by the miraculous intervention
of Our Lady of Fatima.
13 May 1982 - the visit to the Sanctuary of Holy
Lady of Fatima in Portugal. The Holy Father on the first anniversary of
the attempt on his life has solemnize the consecration of the World to
the Mother of the Church.
25 March 1983 - a picture presenting the pope
John Paul II opening the Saint Door which symbolizes the outset of the
Holy Year of Redemption. This deed refers to Christ words: "I am the
gate. If somebody enters through Me he will be redeemed".
2 June 1984 - the Pope on the national holiday of
Italy has visited the Quirinal Palace, where he has met Sandro Pertini,
the President of the Republic of Italy.
30 to 31 March 7 1985 - the picture presents the
Holy Father during a meeting with the youth of the world in Rome. At
that time the pope established the International Youth Day.
13 April 1986 - the picture presents John Paul II, who as the first pope has visited a Judaic temple.
6 June 1987 - on the picture the pope John Paul
II inaugurates the Year of Mary - testimony of profound trust of the
pontificate to Our Lady. The year of Mary lasted up to the 15 August
1988.
8 - 11 October 1988 - the picture presents the
Holy Father during a visit to the European institutions in Strasbourg,
where the pope delivered a speech on the European integration.
1 December 1989 - John Paul II during a meeting
with the President of the Supreme Council of USSR Michail Gorbaczov.
The result of this visit was the establishment of diplomatic relations
between the Apostolic See and Soviet Union.
28 January 1990 - the picture presents the Holy
Father visiting leprous in Guinea-Bissau and is the evidence of His
intimacy with the sufferers.
28 November to 19 December 1991 - the picture
presents the Pope during the Special Convention of the Bishops Synod
dedicated to Europe.
7 December 1992 - the picture presents John Paul
II presenting the Catechism of the Catholic Church, containing the
official expository of the Catholic lecture.
10 January 1993 - on the picture Holy Father is praying in Assissi for peace in the Balkans.
8 April 1994 - John Paul II is celebrating a mass in the renewed Sistine Chapel.
5 October 1995 - the picture presents the Holy Father delivering a speech at the United Nation Organization.
21 - 23 June 1996 - the Holy Father during the visit in Germany. It was
the first visit of the Pope after the unification of Germany. On the
picture John Paul II is walking through Brandenburg Gate with
chancellor Helmut Kohl.
12 - 13 April 1997 - the picture has been done during the visit of the
Holy Father in Sarayevo. The visible on the foreground cross has been
damaged during a bombing.
21 - 26 January 1998 - the pope John Paul II during the salutation at
the airport by the leader of Cuba Fidel Castro and the children.
24 December 1999 - the picture presents the Holy Father opening the Holy Door during Christmas night.
15 to 20 August 2000 - the picture has been done during the World Youth Day, on the suburbs of Rome in Tor Vergata.
6 January 2001 -the Holy Father is closing the
Saint Door of Saint Peter Basilica and at the same time the Year of the
Saint Jubilee.
14 November 2002 - the picture presents John Paul II, who as the first pope paid a visit to the Italian parliament.
On the day of introduction of the stamps
into circulation will be in sales FDC with special cancellation in use
at the Post Office Warszawa 1. |
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)