Less than three weeks after his election to the papacy, Pope Leo XIV is already making his mark — now through the Vatican’s first official stamps bearing his image. The Vatican’s Philatelic and Postal Service announced on May 26 that the stamps would go on sale starting May 27, 2025.
Four designs were unveiled, each corresponding to a current Vatican postage rate: €1.25, €1.30, €2.45, and €3.20. The images portray Pope Leo XIV in distinct moments from the early days of his pontificate — blessing the crowd after his election on May 8, smiling in the Pauline Chapel, and praying in quiet contemplation.
Collectors and visitors in Rome had a unique opportunity to obtain a special postmark on May 27 and 28 at the Vatican post office located on St. Peter’s Square. This first-day cancellation mark — dated to commemorate the stamp’ official release — is a coveted detail for philatelists worldwide.
While the Vatican City State may be the world’s smallest country, it maintains a surprisingly robust postal system. With 43 employees and 26 bright yellow mailboxes scattered across its territory, the Vatican processes thousands of pieces of mail daily, dispatching letters directly to 45 countries. For decades, its stamps have fascinated collectors not only for their rarity but also for their artistic and religious significance.
This newest issue continues a long-standing tradition that began formally in 1929, when the Lateran Treaty established the Vatican’s sovereignty and permitted it to run an independent postal system. Although the first Vatican stamp dates back to 1852, it wasn’t until after the treaty that the Holy See began producing regular postal issues as a sovereign state.
The release of these stamps is more than a philatelic footnote. It's a visible sign of a new papacy taking shape. In a Church where continuity is often expressed through timeless ritual and apostolic succession, something as small as a postage stamp offers a tangible glimpse of transition — and of history in the making.
For those unable to visit Vatican City, the stamps will also be available for purchase online through the official philatelic website, offering collectors and the curious alike a small but meaningful piece of a new chapter in the life of the Catholic Church.
