Stamp Presented to Commemorate 200 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between the Holy See and Brazil

A journey of friendship founded on dialogue and cooperation

The outline of the Cross, merged with the borders of Brazil. This is the image featured on the stamp dedicated to the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Federative Republic of Brazil. The stamp was promoted by the Postal and Philately Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate and was presented on afternoon, March 10, in the Conference Hall of the Vatican Museums.

Presenting it were Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, together with H.E. Mr. Everton Vieira Vargas, Ambassador of Brazil to the Holy See, Monsignor Hrvoje Škrlec, representing the Secretariat of State, and Rev. Felice Bruno, Head of the Postal and Philately Service. Also present were Engineer Antonino Intersimone, Director of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate, Barbara Jatta, Director of  Museums and Cultural Heritage, Giandomenico Spinola, Deputy Director of the Artistic-Scientific sectors and Alberto Albanesi, Deputy Director of the Administrative-Managerial sectors.

Sister Petrini emphasized that with this philatelic issue, the Governorate of Vatican City State “pays tribute to a journey of friendship founded on dialogue and cooperation.”

For his part, the Ambassador of Brazil recalled the origins of the diplomatic relations with the Holy See and noted that no other country has maintained such deep and enduring ties.

Diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Brazil were formally established on January 23, 1826, when the credentials of the first Brazilian ambassador were presented to Pope Leo XII, shortly after the South American country’s independence.

The €2.55 stamp reproduces the official Bicentennial logo, designed through the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro by the artist Evelyn Grumach.

It is accompanied by a postmark reproducing the official logo of the event and is completed by the inscriptions: “200° Relazioni diplomatiche Santa Sede – Brasile”, “Poste Vaticane” and “Die emissionis 26.02.2026”.

Below is the address of the President of the Governorate:

I extend my greetings

to all the Authorities present and, in particular,

to H.E. Mr. Everton Vieira Vargas, Ambassador of Brazil to the Holy See,

to Monsignor Hrvoje Škrlec, representing the Secretariat of State,

to Engineer Antonino Intersimone, Director of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate,

to Rev. Felice Bruno, Head of the Postal and Philately Service of the same Directorate,

and to all of you present here.

“In our dialogue, I would like the sense of being family to prevail always — the diplomatic community represents the entire family of peoples — sharing the joys and sorrows of life and the human and spiritual values that animate it.”

Thus spoke Pope Leo XIV during the Audience with the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on Friday, May 16, 2025, just eight days after his election to the Chair of Peter.

“Pontifical diplomacy,” the Pope continued, “is in fact an expression of the very catholicity of the Church and, in its diplomatic activity, the Holy See is driven by a pastoral urgency that leads it not to seek privileges but to intensify its evangelical mission in service of humanity.”

What the Pontiff affirmed is reflected in the relations between the Holy See and the Federative Republic of Brazil: a journey of friendship, cooperation, and shared commitment on important issues such as peace, social justice, and the safeguarding of Creation, which is especially relevant for the Amazon region.

To celebrate two hundred years of diplomatic relations between the two States, the Postal and Philately Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate has issued a special postage stamp and a die emissionis postmark.

The stamp reproduces the official Bicentennial logo, designed by Evelyn Grumack of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. It depicts the outline of the Cross combined with the borders of Brazil, symbolizing the country’s Christian identity and its spiritual bond with the See of Peter.

Brazil is the fourth country with the oldest diplomatic relations with the Holy See, after France, Spain, and Portugal. Following Brazil’s declaration of independence in 1822, numerous diplomatic missions were sent to establish relations with the Holy See, until, on January 23, 1826, the credentials of Monsignor Francisco Corrêa Vidigal — sent by Emperor Pedro I of Brazil shortly after independence — were presented to Pope Leo XII.

The first seat of the Brazilian Embassy in Rome was Palazzo Verospi on Via del Corso. Since then, relations have been fruitful, mutually enriching the diplomatic, cultural, and religious spheres. 

With this philatelic issue, the Governorate of Vatican City State pays tribute to a journey of friendship founded on dialogue and cooperation.

Throughout these two centuries of history, diplomacy has been oriented toward the service of human dignity and the common good, with particular attention to the most fragile sectors of society, in a country where the Gospel is deeply rooted among the people. One need only think of expressions of Marian devotion, solidarity, and the capacity to continue hoping amid trials and difficulties.

This stamp seeks to bear witness to the Christian presence in the country and to recall that Vatican City State is always close to it, supporting peace, human development and justice.

May the Patroness of Brazil, Our Lady of Aparecida, watch over and protect the journey of the Brazilian people.

Thank you.