Religious liberty “stamped”

On March 16, 2006, the Vatican Post issued a new series of stamps to illustrate the three following themes: “the great question of integration”, the great founders of the Jesuit order and the Italian painter Andrea Mantegna.

“Integration” is represented by two stamps: on one there is a church, a mosque and a synagogue to express the idea of religious liberty and on the other children at school, “the fundamental place where a common basis for dialogue is formed, which will prepare the future citizens of the world” according to the explanations of the Numismatic and Philatelic Office of the Government of Vatican City.

The second series features the portraits of Saint Ignatius Loyola (1491-1556), Saint Francis Xavier (1506-1552) and Blessed Peter Faber (1506-1546).

Finally, the third series celebrates the fifth centenary of the death of painter Andrea Mantegna (cir. 1431-1506), originally from Padua, with reproductions of three of his works: a Virgin and Child, Saint Gregory and Saint John the Baptist and, Saint Peter and Saint Paul.