A commemorative stamp honouring Saint Francis of Assisi was unveiled today in Assisi (Umbria region) ahead of the 800th anniversary of the Saint’s death, which occurred in Assisi on 3 October 1226.

The joint issue, created by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Vatican City State, the Italian Republic and the Republic of San Marino, consists of a sheet featuring ‘Il commiato di Santa Chiara dalle spoglie di San Francesco’ (Saint Francis Mourned by Saint Clare), the twenty-third of the twenty-eight scenes in the cycle of frescoes depicting the ‘Storie di San Francesco’  (Stories of Saint Francis) in the Basilica superiore of Assisi, traditionally attributed to Giotto. The scene depicts Saint Clare embracing the body of Saint Francis.

The upper left corner of the sheet bears the concluding verses of Saint Francis’ ‘Cantico delle Creature’ (Canticle of the Creatures), dedicated to ‘sora nostra Morte corporale‘ (our Sister, Bodily Death). The complete Cantico has been divided into four sections, each appearing on one of the four participating postal administrations’ issues, allowing the entire work to be reconstructed by bringing together all four stamps.

The presentation ceremony, held in the Press Room of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis, was attended by Fra’ Marco Moroni, Father Guardian and Custos of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis; Valter Stoppini, Mayor of Assisi; Stefania Proietti, President of the Umbria Region; Pietro Di Paolantonio, President of the Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato; Giovanni Machetti, Head of Philately at Poste Italiane; Marco Gatti, Secretary of State for Finance and the Budget, Transport and Energy of the Republic of San Marino; Sister Raffaella Petrini, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State and of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State; Fausta Bergamotto, Undersecretary of State for Enterprises and Made in Italy; and Giorgio Amodeo, Secretary General of the Common Treasure of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

In his remarks, Dr. Amodeo reflected on the legacy of Saint Francis, highlighting the profound affinity between Franciscan spirituality and the Order of Malta’s founding mission, tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum – the defence of the faith and service to the poor.

Both are rooted in a commitment to caring for, protecting and supporting those most in need, particularly the sick, the wounded, refugees and, more broadly, the most vulnerable members of society. For almost a millennium, the Order of Malta has translated these values into concrete medical, humanitarian and social assistance programmes around the world.

Today, the Order is active in more than 130 countries through a network of approximately 200,000 members, including Knights and Dames, professional medical staff and volunteers. Its global structure includes 49 National Associations, nine Priories and Sub-Priories, 134 diplomatic missions, one international relief agency and approximately 47 national relief corps.

The joint issue will be officially released on Sunday, 4 October 2026, the national feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, and will be available for purchase at the Poste Magistrali office counter in Rome from Monday, 5 October.

To mark the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’ death, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta will also issue a commemorative coin as part of its 2026 numismatic programme, dedicated to this significant anniversary.