From September 8 to 19, 2025, the 28th Universal Postal Congress—the supreme decision-making body of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which meets every four years—will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Representatives from the 192 member countries will attend, with the goal of defining the organization’s future strategy and establishing rules for international postal exchanges.
On 1 September, Paolo Maurizio Soave, was appointed as Deputy Director of the Vatican’s department of Health and Hygiene for a five-year term.
The Vatican Mint proudly celebrates an important international recognition: the 50-euro gold coin “War and Peace,” minted in 2024, has won the Best Gold Coin award at the 2025 COTY (Coin of the Year) Awards, announced on August 21 during the World’s Fair of Money in Oklahoma City, USA.
The Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate for Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of Vatican City State announces a new series of philatelic issues to be released on 7 September 2025, in conjunction with significant religious and cultural events and anniversaries. These issues are distinguished by their high symbolic, historical, and spiritual value, as well as by the artistic and collectible quality characteristic of Vatican productions.
For the first time, Vatican City has won the Best Gold Coin award in the prestigious international Coin of the Year (COTY) competition. The winning coin is the 50-euro gold issue, released by the Governorate in 2024 on the theme “War and Peace.”
The artwork is by Chiara Principe, a young artist from Rome who for years has created images for the Governorate's Vatican numismatic collections.
Hospitality, Compassion, Prayer
In the heart of Albano, within the historic and faith-filled walls of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Rotonda, a day rich in spirituality, sharing, and closeness to the most vulnerable unfolded. On Sunday morning, August 17, Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Eucharist together with people assisted by the local Caritas and its volunteers, transforming the city’s historic center into a lively place of encounter and fraternity.
Heralds of Hope
“In a particular way during this Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind.” This was the message of Pope Leo XIV to the Knights of Columbus, gathered in Washington, D.C. for the 143rd Supreme Convention, held from August 4 to 7.
Postal Stamps Commemorating the Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati
A portrait of Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925), painted by Alberto Falchetti (1878–1951) and owned by the Frassati family, along with a photograph of Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) wearing a red T-shirt and a backpack, taken on Mount Subasio near Assisi during one of his last school trips before his untimely death — these are the two images featured on the stamps dedicated to the canonization of the two Blessed, scheduled for the morning of Sunday, September 7, in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Pope Leo XIV.
On Saturday, August 2, Pope Leo XIV received in audience, in a foyer of the Paul VI Audience Hall, a select group representing the Vatican Museums. During the meeting, a painting depicting Saint Augustine and an angel, the work of an anonymous Roman artist of the 18th century, was presented and entrusted to the Pope.
A step forward has been taken toward the construction of an agrivoltaic plant in a vast area of land belonging to the Holy See on the outskirts of Rome, known as Santa Maria di Galeria. On Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 12:00 noon, an agreement between the Holy See and the Italian Republic was signed at Palazzo Borromeo, the headquarters of the Embassy of Italy to the Holy See in Rome, as announced by a communiqué from the Holy See.
