Vatican Postal and Philately Service commemorative special issue on April 25, 2026
Stamp, folder, commemorative envelope and special die emissionis postmark for the 325th anniversary of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy
The Postal and Philately Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of the Vatican City State has produced a commemorative philatelic series, a folder, a commemorative envelope, and a special postmark dedicated to the 325th anniversary of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, a historic institution of the Holy See founded in 1701 with the mission of training diplomats destined to serve the Catholic Church throughout the world.
For three hundred and twenty-five years, the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy—an institution that, overcoming difficult moments shaped by history, has affirmed itself as the “diplomatic school of the Holy See”—has trained generations of priests who, in service to the Petrine ministry, carry out their work at the Pontifical Representations [called Nunziatures] worldwide and the Secretariat of State. Pope Francis, by Chirograph dated March 25, 2025, reformed the institution so that it might better fulfill its aims. He established it as an Institute ad instar Facultatis for the study of Diplomatic Sciences and, by authority of the Holy See (cf. Veritatis Gaudium, Arts. 2 and 6; Implementing Norms, Art. 1), it grants second- and third-cycle academic degrees in Diplomatic Sciences.
This issue is intended to pay tribute to the fundamental role played by the Academy over the centuries as a center of excellence for the formation of priests called to embody, in diverse cultural and political contexts, the universal concerns of the Holy Father.
The stamp reproduces the façade of Palazzo Severoli, the historic seat of the Academy located in Piazza della Minerva in Rome. The image highlights the architectural elegance of the building and recalls its deep connection with the diplomatic tradition of the Holy See.
The postmark features a graphic design depicting the façade of Palazzo Severoli, with the inscriptions: “325° Anniversario della Pontificia Accademia Ecclesiastica”, “Poste Vaticane”, “Die emissionis 25.04.2026”.
The Postal and Philately Service has also produced a commemorative envelope, also available within the limited-edition folder. The envelope, bearing a €1.35 stamp, reproduces a painting of Saint Anthony Abbot, patron of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, illustrated by Patrizio Daniele from a 17th-century portrait. The price of the commemorative envelope is €3.00, while the folder costs €8.00.
With this initiative, the Governorate of the Vatican City State renews its commitment to promoting the historical and cultural heritage of the Holy See, while also making a contribution to international historic philatelic heritage.
On April 25 and 26, 2026, the post office in St. Peter’s Square will use the special postmark. Alternatively, cancellation of philatelic material—properly franked by the applicants with the stamps to which the postmark refers—may be requested from the Cancellation Sector of the Postal and Philately Service until May 30, 2026.
The products are available for purchase at all offices of the Vatican Postal and Philately Service, including the one in St. Peter’s Square.