Vatican ATM FDC

Vatican ATM Stamp FDC
Name: The Basilica of Saint Peter
Date of Issue: 06 March 2008

The Basilica of Saint Peter (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri), officially known in Italian as the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano and commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica, is located within the Vatican City in Rome. It occupies a "unique position" as one the holiest sites and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom". In Catholic tradition, it is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and, according to tradition, was the first Bishop of Antioch, and later first Bishop of Rome. While St. Peter's is the most famous of Rome's many churches, it is not the first in rank, an honour held by the Pope's cathedral church, the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

Although the New Testament does not mention Peter's presence or martyrdom in Rome, the apparent fact of his presence in Rome is supported by the witness of other 1st century Christians, such as St. Clement. Catholic tradition holds that his tomb is below the altar of the basilica. For this reason, many Popes, starting with the first ones, have been buried there. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century. Construction on the present basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed in 1626.

St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions and for its historical associations. It is associated with the papacy, with the Counter-reformation and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo. As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. Contrary to popular misconception, Saint Peter's is not a cathedral, as it is not the seat of a bishop. It is properly termed a basilica. It is uncommon in that it is orientated with its chancel to the west and its facade to the east, which is the reverse of the arrangement at the majority of Christian churches.

ATM: the German abbreviation for "Automatenmarken", i.e. postage labels from electronical stamp vending machines - exist since 1969. They are - according to the Postal Law of the UPU (passed at the UPU Congress at Hamburg, 1984) - postage stamps that are printed by electronical stamp vending machines. After inserting the necessary amount of money (coins, banknotes etc.) the customer usually gets a stamp directly printed on (security) paper by the machine. In all respects (denomination of value and country, symbol of the postal authorities etc.) this stamp corresponds to the traditional postage stamp. Quoted from