New stamp highlights importance of Vatican-US diplomatic relations

A 2.45-euro ($2.75) Vatican stamp (not to scale) features the seals of the Holy See, and the U.S. celebrates the 40th anniversary of the two establishing full diplomatic relations. (Photo courtesy of CNS/Vatican Philatelic and Numismatic Office)VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Issuing a Vatican postage stamp celebrating the 40th anniversary of full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Holy See is a sign of the importance the Vatican attributes to their relationship, said the president of the commission governing Vatican City State.

“Celebrating the event with a stamp is like producing a small work of art that will travel the world and bring the message entrusted to it as a kind of manifesto,” Fernando Cardinal Alzaga, commission president, said at a Vatican news conference to present the stamp and day-of-issue postmark Sept. 16.

Laura Hochla, chargé d’affaires of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See, told the Catholic News Service that the commemorative stamp “is such a beautiful gesture.”

“Mail is something that unites, usually two individuals or two institutions, despite the miles, despite the distance,” she said, and the mail overcomes all adversity as exemplified in the U.S. Postal Service creed: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night” can keep mail couriers from finishing their rounds.

“So a stamp is a perfect way to show the diplomatic relations and the strength of our relationship with the Vatican,” she said.

“The decision to dedicate a philatelic issue (stamp) to the anniversary is certainly a sign of the attention and importance that the Holy See and Vatican City State attribute to these diplomatic relations,” Cardinal Vérgez said in his speech.

“A letter is a gift. Especially when most of the mail is bills!” Hochla said in her speech. She reminisced about growing up in rural New Mexico and noted how important local mail carriers are in linking Americans together over such a vast continent.

“Especially in the digitized world we live in today, governed by lightning-fast exchanges, where it is so quick and easy to send a simple message, the enduring beauty of a postal item stands out even more in our eyes,” she said.

The 2.45-euro ($2.75) stamp features the seal of the Holy See and the seal of the U.S. tied together with yellow and gold ribbons for the Vatican and red, white and blue ribbons for the U.S.

The stamp features the years 1984 and 2024 and notes it is the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

The Vatican post office began selling the stamp Sept. 16, and the post office located by the Arch of the Bells in St. Peter’s Square was offering special cancellations for collectors Sept. 16 and 17.

The Vatican and the U.S. government announced the establishment of full diplomatic relations Jan. 10, 1984. Two months later, the Senate confirmed President Ronald Reagan’s choice of William A. Wilson as the first U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, and a few weeks later, St. John Paul II appointed then-Archbishop Pio Laghi as the first pro-nuncio to the U.S.

“For Vatican City State, this cooperation means being fully committed to defending the human dignity and rights of each person, promoting justice and defending the truth,” Cardinal Vérgez said.

Oct. 10 panel event highlights 40th anniversary of Vatican-U.S. diplomatic relations

HOUSTON — A special panel event titled “Popes and the Presidents” will explore the lasting effects of the diplomatic relations between the U.S. in light of its 40th anniversary on Oct 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nold Auditorium at St. Mary’s Seminary.

The free event will feature speakers including Ambassador Kenneth R. Hackett, a former U.S. ambassador to the Holy See; and Father Matthew Súniga, vice rector of St. Mary’s Seminary, who will serve as moderator. The night will also include pre-recorded remarks from former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III.

Online registration is required. To register, visit www.bidpal.net/vatican40.

Want to go?

Popes and the Presidents: Celebrating 40 Years of Diplomatic Relations Between the Holy See and the United States

When: Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: St. Mary’s Seminary - Nold Auditorium - 845 Memorial Dr., Houston
Register: bidpal.net/vatican40
Cost: Free