75th diplomatic relations Holy See - Philippines € 2,55

The Holy See and the Republic of the Philippines celebrate this year the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, formally initiated on 8 April 1951, during the pontificate of Pius XII and the presidency of Elpidio Quirino. This anniversary celebrates a bond whose roots extend back over four centuries of Christian history. Since 1951, these relations have developed through ongoing dialogue and cooperation based on the promotion of peace, the protection of human dignity, the promotion of interreligious dialogue, social justice and the common good, and the protection of the most vulnerable. Over the years, this friendship has been strengthened by an increasingly established ecclesial presence and fruitful cooperation between the Church and Philippine institutions. The Philippines hold a special place in the history of the Church: it is the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia. Catholicism arrived with the Spanish missionaries in the 16th century, and since then the faith has profoundly shaped the identity, culture and daily life of the Filipino people, becoming a distinctive feature recognized throughout the world. Over time, this has been accompanied by a significant presence of Filipino missionaries, who today serve in every corner of the globe, contributing to the life of Catholic communities in many countries, including Italy itself. The Holy See has accompanied this journey through a constant presence, marked by the memorable pastoral visits of four Pontiffs and by fruitful dialogue with local civil and ecclesiastical authorities. With this stamp issue, the Holy See renews its friendship and cooperation with the Republic of the Philippines through the universal language of philately, as a means of preserving memory and fostering encounter and dialogue among peoples. The stamp brings together several elements representative of the two States, including St Peter’s Basilica and an open shell containing a pearl, a reference to the designation “Pearl of the Orient Seas” attributed to the Philippine Archipelago.