Vatican stamps

Stamps with Pope John XXIII on the 50th anniversary of the Lateran Treaty

Over the next two weeks, most of my posts will relate to the Vatican and the upcoming Conclave. Today I share with you a few of the beautiful stamps that the Vatican State issues from time to time. 

Pope John Paul II's visit to the USA in 1987

They are some of the most meaningful stamps ever issued for circulation. Most of them would have the image of the current Pope, and obviously they are all related to religious topics, pilgrimages, anniversaries and other historical events. The current stamps in circulation are over-printed with the words Sede Vacante, until a new Pope is elected.

Calligraphy and Illumination issue from 1972