Vatican Clement XIII Aerogram

Vatican Aerogram
Name: The 250th Anniversary of the Pontificate of Clement XIII
Date of Issue: 17 September 2008

Carlo Rezzonico was born in Venice and grew up in a family of recent nobility. His education by the Jesuits in Bologna had a strong influence on his future since events surrouding of the Society of Jesus were to mark profoundly his pontificate. He became Pope on 6 July 1758 and took the name Clement XIII. He had been created a Cardinal in 1737 and since 1743 he was bishop of Padua. His pontificate was marked by the ongoing controversy surrounding the Society of Jesus and the call for its suppression by supporters of the Enlightenment in France. Clement XIII defended the Jesuits, even protesting their expulsion as called for by various European courts (France, Portugal, Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, Reign of the Two Sicilies, Spain). The controversy surrounding the order founded by Ignatius of Loyola motivated Clement XIII to call for a consistory in order to find a solution, but he died on the eve of the scheduled gathering (2 February 1769). The fate of the Society of Jesus was left to his successor, Clement XIV. The image on the aerogramme depicts the Pope kneeling in prayer and is taken from his funerary monument, a work of Canova in St. Peter's Basilica. The impression displays the coat of arms of Clement XIII. More...

Comment: How often does Vatican Post issue the Aerogram? this is the first Vatican real posted Aerogram for me.

Vatican Lourdes FDCs

Vatican FDCs
Name: The 150th Anniversary of the Apparitions of Lourdes
Date of Issue: 15 May 2008

The apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes began on 11 February 1858, when Bernadette Soubirous, a 14-year old peasant girl from Lourdes admitted, when questioned by her mother, that she had seen a "lady" in the cave of Massabielle, about a mile from the town, while she was gathering firewood with her sister and a friend. Similar appearances of the "lady" took place on seventeen further occasions that year.

Catholics consider Bernadette Soubirous a saint, and many Catholics believe her visions to have been of the Virgin Mary. The first appearance of the "Lady" reported by Bernadette was on 11 February. The others were on February 14, 18-21, 23-25, 27, 28, March 1-4, 25, April 7, and July 16. More...

Comment: This is a religious event. Because I'm not a Catholics, I don't know anymore about it.

Vatican Pope Visited UN FDC

Vatican FDC
Name: Pope Benedict XVI Visited UN for 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Date of Issue: 15 May 2008

On 18 April 2008. Pope Benedict XVI began his day at the United Nations, where he addressed a packed General Assembly hall. Speaking about the importance of dialogue, diplomacy and human rights, Pope Benedict XVI said every state has a duty to protect its people from grave and repeated human rights violations and from the consequences of humanitarian crises -- whether natural or man-made.

Pope Benedict XVI went on to note that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He said respect for human rights is the most effective way to eliminate inequalities among countries and social groups, and for increasing security. He said respect for human rights must also include the right to religious freedom.

In the late afternoon, Pope Benedict XVI made an historic visit to a synagogue in the city. It was the first time a Catholic pope has visited a Jewish house of worship in the United States. It was also significant, as Pope Benedict XVI is German and the synagogue's head rabbi, Arthur Schneier, is a Holocaust survivor.

Comment: Many Chinese Newspapers had reported that Pope Benedict XVI is promoting to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China and break off diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan). If these reports are true, the Republic of China (Taiwan) will lose their last diplomatic relations in Europe.

Vatican World Youth Day FDC

Vatican FDC
Name: The 23rd World Youth Day, Sydney 2008
Date of Issue: 15 May 2008

World Youth Day (It. La Giornata Mondiale della Gioventù) is a youth oriented Roman Catholic Church promotional event aimed at young people. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, young people are invited without discrimination. World Youth Day is not associated with International Youth Day or any of the international observance days.

The 23rd World Youth Day (WYD) is the largest youth event in the world and will be held in Sydney from Tuesday 15 to Sunday 20 July 2008.

Organised by the Catholic Church, WYD brings together young people from around the globe to celebrate and learn about their faith on a more regular basis.

WYD08 will be the largest event Australia has ever hosted. It will attract over 125,000 international visitors - more than the 2000 Olympics.

WYD08 will mark the first visit of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to Australia.

Through the WYD08 experience, young people from throughout the world will make a pilgrimage in faith, meet, and experience the love of God.

World Youth Day is an invitation from the Pope to the youth of the world to celebrate their faith around a particular theme. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Official Website of the WYD08

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

Vatican EUROPA FDC

Vatican FDC
Name: EUROPA 2008 - Letter
Date of Issue: 06 March 2008

EUROPA stamps are special stamps issued by European postal administrations / enterprises under the aegis of PostEurop which have Europe as their central theme. EUROPA stamps should underline cooperation in the domain of posts, particularly as regards the promotion of philately. They also contribute to making the public aware of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and its common goals. As such, EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world.

Since they were first issued in 1956, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe's desire for closer integration and cooperation. In 1993, PostEurop became responsible for issuing EUROPA stamps holding the rights to the EUROPA logo.

The Association also selects the annual EUROPA theme for its yearly EUROPA stamps competition. This event was first launched in 2002 and it usually takes place during the Plenary Assembly.

Comment: Pope is writing a letter, it's normal. But the left stamp is very special. It's a real posted FDC on the stamp, two small stamps' designs have composed the denomination of this big stamp.

EUROPA Series FDCs:
2009 Astronomy:
Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Slovakia.

2008 Letter:
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Vatican.

Vatican Christmas FDC

Vatican FDC
Name: Christmas - The Nativity (Malta - Vatican Joint issue)
Date of Issue: 2007 November 20th

This set features details from one of Giuseppe Cali's paintings, The Nativity, one of the paintings found at St Andrew's parish church in Luqa.

Work on the naves in the parish church of St Andrew in Luqa village was close to completion towards the end of the year 1904. At this stage, the residents of Luqa felt that the four original paintings would now appear to be smaller in comparison to the new altars, and accordingly decided to install a new set of paintings.

The parish priest of Luqa, the Reverend Anton Vella, commissioned Giuseppe Cali (1846-1930) to work on four new paintings for the naves. The painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was ready and in place in 1906, and the other three paintings – Saint Dominic, Saint Michael and the Birth of Jesus (the Nativity) – were unveiled on the occasion of the feast of Saint Andrew in November of 1908. In the Chapel of the Nativity, Cali also painted two small oval works depicting Saint Francis and St Spiridione.

After the war, the painting of the Nativity (like those of St Dominic and St Michael) was enlarged by Professor Oscar Testa to be brought in line with the new frame, and the actual measurements (approximately 218 x 152 cm) are different from the original measurements. In fact, closer examination will reveal the joints in the canvas.

The painting of The Nativity, which is signed, shows the Baby Jesus in a manger, surrounded by the Madonna, Saint Joseph, two countrywomen and a young girl. In the past this painting was often referred to as the St Joseph painting. It is worth mentioning that Giuseppe Cali painted the Nativity scene in at least two other Maltese churches – on the main dome of Lija parish church (1893) and on one of the lunettes in the Mosta Rotunda.

2009 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Israel, Lithuania.

2008 Christmas FDCs:
Canada: The Nativity, Canada: Winter Fun, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania.

2007 Christmas FDCs:
Estonia, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, Ukraine, Vatican.