Where you can get PHLPost's commemorative stamp honoring Pope Francis
The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has released a commemorative stamp paying homage to Pope Francis.
The stamp, released on June 5, bears two designs, a close-up portrait of the late pontiff and a photo of him waving. PHLPost said that the se-tenant (printed side-by-side) format "symbolizes the dual aspects of his papal mission and influence across religious and global humanitarian efforts."
It also features the name Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Pope Francis, and the dates of his birth and death.
In 2015, PHLPost issued several stamps in honor of the pope's visit to the Philippines, which featured his stop in Tacloban City. It also released stamps celebrating his first year of papacy in 2014.
There are 20,000 copies of the commemorative stamp available, as well as 1,000 pieces of the Official First Day Cover, which includes newly issued stamps and a cancellation postmark stamped with the official release date.
You can purchase the stamps and First Day Covers at the Manila Central Post Office.
Pope Francis died on April 21 at the age of 88 of a stroke, causing a coma and "irreversible" heart failure. He died almost a month after having been discharged from five weeks in the hospital, where he nearly succumbed to double pneumonia.
His funeral took place on April 26, and he was later buried at Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, breaking from tradition.
Pope Francis went to the Philippines a little over a year after Super Typhoon Yolanda devastated parts of the country, including Tacloban. During his visit, he celebrated Mass at the Manila Cathedral, the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, and in Tacloban City.
He was succeeded by US Cardinal Robert Prevost, who took the name Pope Leo XIV.
