SW News: The Polish Postal Service released a stamp commemorating the tenth anniversary of the pontificate of Pope Francis. Before the commencement of the 394th Plenary Meeting of the Polish Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, apostolic nuncio to Poland, released the stamp in Warsaw on March 13.
During the presentation, the prelate said, "Mercy and hope are the characteristics of this decade-long pontificate." He also added that the 10 years of the pontificate is an important event for the universal Church and the Church in Poland. According to the Archbishop, the Holy Father brings comfort, support, and hope wherever he travels.
Wiesaw Wodek, vice-president of the state postal administration, emphasized that through commemorative stamps, the Polish Post honors individuals who positively impact Poland and the world. He cited that previous stamps of Pope Francis were released in connection with the Holy Father's visit to Kraków for World Youth Day in 2016.
Polish photographer Grzegorz Gałązka took the photo featured on the stamp on Good Friday 2022 during the customary Stations of the Cross liturgy in Rome. It features the profile of a beaming Pope Francis. The Holy Father's white cassock against a red armchair is meant to allude to the Polish national colors of white and red.
The stamp also includes a First Day Cover, which displays a black postmark with the date March 13, 2023, and also the motto of the Holy Father "Miserando atque eligendo" (chosen out of mercy).