New Issue by the Vatican Postal and Philately Service

Apostolic Journey of Pope Leo XIV in Africa

The Postal and Philately Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of the Vatican City State has produced four special postmarks on the occasion of the apostolic journey of Pope Leo XIV to nations in the African continent—Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea—which will take place from April 13 to 23, as well as a special postmark for the 1025th anniversary of the apparition of the Mother of God Crowned, in Foggia, Italy.

For the papal journey, the first postmark concerns Algeria and reproduces the official logo and motto with the date: April 13–15, 2026. The postmark is completed by the inscriptions: “Papa Leone XIV in Algeria” and “Poste Vaticane 13 – 15.04.2026.”

For Cameroon, the dates April 15–18, 2026 are indicated, together with the official logo and motto of the apostolic journey and the inscriptions: “Papa Leone XIV in Camerun”, “In Illo Uno Unum” and “Poste Vaticane 15 – 18.04.2026”.

The same applies to Angola, with the date April 18–21, 2026, the official logo and motto of the apostolic journey, and the inscriptions: “Papa Leone XIV in Angola”, “Papa Leão XIV Peregrino da Esperança, Reconciliação e Paz” and “Poste Vaticane 18 – 21.04.2026”.

Finally, for Equatorial Guinea, the date April 21–23, 2026 is indicated, along with the official logo and motto of the apostolic journey and the inscriptions: “Papa Leone XIV in Guinea Equatoriale”, “Cristo, Luz de Guinea Ecuatorial, Hacia un Futuro de Esperanza” and “Poste Vaticane 21 – 23.04.2026”.

Philatelic material to be postmarked, duly stamped by the sender, must be received by the Cancellation Department of the Postal and Philately Service no later than May 30, 2026.