Assisi - Presentation of the Triptych of Coins Dedicated to Saint Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures

Everyone is called to become an agent of Peace and Reconciliation

For the first time, three States have joined together for a common numismatic issue. This is the collaboration behind the triptych of coins dedicated to the Canticle of the Creatures, on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi. The initiative, included in the official calendar of Franciscan celebrations, was presented in Assisi on Thursday morning, May 14, in the Cimabue Hall of the “Colle del Paradiso” Conference Center within the monumental complex of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis.

Representatives of the three States issuing the triptych took part in the event: Sr. Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, Matteo Taglienti, Commercial Director of the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute (IPZS), and Gianluca Amici, Director General of Poste San Marino.

Among those present were Archbishop Felice Accrocca, Bishop of Assisi–Nocera Umbra–Gualdo Tadino and Foligno, the Secretaries General of the Governorate, Archbishop Emilio Nappa and Attorney Giuseppe Puglisi-Alibrandi; Valter Stoppini, Mayor of Assisi, Stefania Proietti, President of the Umbria Region, the Conventual Franciscan Friars, including Fr. Marco Moroni, Custodian of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis in Assisi, and Fr. Giulio Cesareo; Friar Minor Luca Di Pasquale, and Marina Rosati, representative of the National Committee for the Celebrations of the 800th Anniversary of the Death of Saint Francis.

In the afternoon, the President of the Governorate took part in a conference entitled “If Money Does Not Bring Happiness: From the Economy of Francis to the Contemporary Economy — Rethinking Global Development.” The meeting, held in the Hall of the Spoliation at the Bishop’s Palace, included Archbishop Felice Accrocca and Carlo Cottarelli, economist and professor at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.

Below the address delivered by the President of the Governorate:

I extend a cordial greeting to His Excellency Archbishop Felice Accrocca, Archbishop-Bishop of Assisi–Nocera Umbra–Gualdo Tadino and Foligno;

to Fr. Marco Moroni, Custodian of the Sacred Convent;

to the Secretaries General of the Governorate, Archbishop Emilio Nappa and Attorney Giuseppe Puglisi Alibrandi;

to the Mayor of Assisi, Valter Stoppini;

to Michele Sciscioli, Marco Mensurati, and Matteo Taglienti, respectively Chief Executive Officer, Director of Communications, and Director of Private Markets of the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute;

to Gian Luca Amici and Engineer Isabella Bizzocchi, respectively Director General and Deputy Director General of Poste San Marino;

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

and to Enrico Bartelucci, Director of the Economy of the Governorate, together with the delegation accompanying me.

In this sanctuary-city of Assisi, where everything speaks of Saints Francis and Clare, we celebrate today a historic event: the presentation of a triptych of commemorative copper coins dedicated to the Canticle of the Creatures (Laudes Creaturarum or Canticle of Brother Sun), in the year in which we also commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis. For the first time, the issue unites three States: Vatican City State, Italy, and the Republic of San Marino.

The project actively involved the Governorate of Vatican City State, the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute, and Poste San Marino.

The coins feature some of the essential elements of the Canticle: the moon, the sun, the stars, water, fire, wind, and mother earth. The Vatican coin in particular depicts two doves in flight, symbolizing not only Creation, but also peace and the longing for the Absolute.

In this regard, I would like to recall how Pope Leo XIV, in his Letter to the Ministers General of the Conference of the Franciscan Family on the occasion of the opening of the Eighth Centenary of the death of Saint Francis, emphasized that “The Franciscan vision of peace is not limited to the relations between human beings, but also embraces the whole of creation. Francis, who calls the sun “brother” and the moon “sister”, who recognizes in every creature a reflection of divine beauty, reminds us that peace must be extended to the entire family of Creation.”

Indeed, the Pontiff continues: “This insight resonates with particular urgency in our time, when our common home is threatened and cries out under exploitation. Peace with God, peace among human beings and with creation are inseparable dimensions of a single call to universal reconciliation.”

His predecessor, Pope Francis — who chose the name of the Saint of Assisi — had already highlighted this very clearly, especially in the encyclical Laudato si’ (2015), explaining that the project of creation is a project of peace, beauty, and fullness (cf. no. 53). Even today there remains a great need to build leadership committed to realizing this project, charting paths capable of responding to the needs of present generations while including everyone and without compromising future generations.

We wish to begin again from this call to peace, especially at a historical moment in which it is so gravely threatened, entrusting to this triptych of coins a universal message: in the name of Saint Francis, all of us are called to become agents of peace and reconciliation, concretely, wherever our lives unfold and in their many activities — in the family, at work, with friends, in sports, and in our free time.

To work daily for peace, not only individuals are called but also nations and international organizations. Moreover, this issue — an exceptional innovation in the world of numismatics — brings together three very different States around a twofold common objective: encouraging shared reflection on respect for Creation and issuing an appeal for harmony.

In this sense, the coins may succeed in conveying the charism and spirituality of Saint Francis, reaching even the most distant recipients, just as the Canticle itself intended to do. The “Seraphic” Saint, in fact, wrote the literary text in the Italian vernacular so as to touch the hearts of ordinary people, who did not understand Latin, the official language of the liturgy at the time. Through the vivid description of the elements of Creation — almost invited to join him in a common prayer — Francis praises the creative power of God, perceiving the profound bond that exists between those elements and the essence of humanity.

We too hope to remain open to that sense of wonder and amazement of which Saint Francis of Assisi was a radiant witness, capable of speaking the language of fraternity and beauty in his relationship with the world, and thus becoming the supreme example of care for what is fragile and of an integral ecology lived daily with joy and authenticity (cf. Laudato si’, 10–11).

These commemorative coins, therefore, are not merely collectors’ items or objects of economic value, but are intended to represent a cultural and spiritual symbol, recalling the inseparable values of solidarity, care for our common home, commitment to social justice, and peace.

I warmly thank all those who contributed to the realization of this project, especially the staff of the Directorate of the Economy of the Governorate, the Italian State Mint and Polygraphic Institute, and Poste San Marino.

I hope that the fruitful collaboration begun among these three institutions, inspired by a healthy spirit of teamwork, may lead to the realization of further shared projects capable of transmitting to the world those spiritual, cultural, and social values that belong to the Franciscan experience, but which also reveal the fullness of our humanity.

Thank you.