the sheet reproduces, across its entire surface, Jacopo Torriti’s mosaic of the Nativity, which decorates the apse of the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

At the top, enclosed within the perforation to form the €3.25 stamp, is a depiction of the Virgin Mary placing the Baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes, in the manger.

At the bottom, enclosed in the perforation forming the €2.90 stamp, is Saint Joseph, seated, contemplating the scene described above.

Inside the two stamps, in addition to their respective face values, are the words “SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA”, “POSTE MAGISTRALI” and the coat of arms of the Order.

At the bottom left of the sheet, on three lines, are the words “SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA” and “POSTE MAGISTRALI,” flanked on the left by the Order’s coat of arms. At the bottom right is the inscription “Natale 2025”  and, on the right-hand side of the sheet, the legend “Jacopo Torriti, Natività, dettaglio del mosaico dell’abside, Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma”.

The series of two stamps depicts details of the work reproduced on the sheet:

• the €1.30 stamp shows a detail of the Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus;
• the €3.00 stamp shows a detail of the Angel flying above the Nativity hut, announcing the birth.

In addition to the face value, each stamp bears the inscriptions “SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA” and “POSTE MAGISTRALI”, the coat of arms of the Order and the legend “Jacopo Torriti, Natività, particolare”.

Credits: © 2025, Chapter of Santa Maria Maggiore, Vatican City.