By Susan Gately - 14 July, 2018
Stamp issued by An Post, marking Pope Francis visit to Ireland for WMOF2018.
The Primate of All Ireland, Dr Eamon Martin, has welcomed the news that An Post will be releasing two new stamps marking Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland for the World Meeting of Families.
In a tweet on 12th July, Archbishop Martin said he was looking forward to the new stamps which will be available on 26th July. “Why not post a card and prayer to faraway family members with the new stamps. Well done @Postvox.”
Nearly half a million €1 Euro stamps showing Pope Francis and another 103,000 €1.50 international stamps showing a family scene, will be issued on 26th July. Some of these will be available on envelopes with special franking marks, and in souvenir packs at main post offices and online.
The stamps may be purchased at main post offices, the stamp counters at the GPO in Dublin, and online at irishstamps.ie. Stamp themes and their final designs are signed off by the government. The two stamps were designed by Vermillion Design. Normally once a stamp is issued, it is sold for one year.
An Post spokesperson Anna McHugh said the postal service expects huge interest in the two new stamps. “We’re already getting calls from customers asking what will be available and when. Stamps on religious topics are always really popular with those attending events and looking for good value, easy to carry souvenirs for family and friends, and that can be carried easily in hand luggage,” she said.
More than 350,000 stamps marking Ireland’s hosting of the Eucharistic Congress in 2012 were sold through post offices and online. “We estimate about half were used for posting special postcards at the time, while the others were purchased as treasured souvenirs of the 2012 Congress,” said Ms McHugh, adding that religious themed stamps, like those commemorating St Padre Pio, Mother Teresa and the Pioneers Association have proved very popular with philatelists and Catholics alike.
The WMoF has also welcomed the new stamps. “The new WMoF2018/Papal stamps from An Post are a very welcome initiative as part of the overall commemoration of this historical event,” WMoF spokesperson Brenda Drumm told CatholicIrleand.
