As in previous years, this year too, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta’s Poste Magistrali took part in the Congress of the Italian Philatelic Press Union (USFI), the association that brings together journalists and writers specializing in philately in Italy and which, in 2026, celebrates the 60th anniversary of its foundation.
Entitled “Ritorno a Prato” (Return to Prato), the Congress was held in Prato, Tuscany, from 11 to 13 September, in collaboration with the “Aldo Cecchi” Institute of Historical Postal Studies.
During the meeting, the Administrative Director of the Poste Magistrali, Giorgio Battioni, presented the participants with an overview of the activities currently underway and the future programmes of Poste Magistrali, including a preview of the issues scheduled through the end of the year. In particular, he presented the new postal issues scheduled for 30 September and the joint issue with the Vatican City, Italy and San Marino scheduled for 4 October:
- 25th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Republic of Serbia
two stamps, with denominations of €1.35 and €3.30.
- Marian Iconography: The Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary
one stamp in a miniature sheet, with a denomination of €3.35.
- The Art of the Order of Malta: Canaletto
four stamps, arranged in two se-tenant blocks, each with a denomination of €1.30.
- Saint Francis of Assisi, on the 800th anniversary of his death (joint issue with the Vatican City, Italy and San Marino)
one stamp in a miniature sheet, with a denomination of €1.35.
To mark the 60th anniversary of the USFI, Poste Magistrali created a special postmark and a numbered commemorative card, specially produced for the occasion and bearing the special postmark dedicated to the event.
