In the centre of the sheet, within the perforated border, is a depiction of the Blessed Virgin of the Holy Rosary, housed at the Pontifical Shrine of Pompeii, which is one of the most venerated Marian images in Italy and throughout the world. The painting, brought to Pompeii in 1875 by the founder of the Shrine, Saint Bartolo Longo, depicts the Virgin Mary enthroned with the Infant Jesus in her arms, presenting the Holy Rosary to Saint Dominic and Saint Catherine of Siena.

The issue also aims to celebrate the deep bond between the Order of Malta and the Shrine of Pompeii, in recognition of the important service provided through the ‘Pope Francis’ Soup Kitchen for the Poor, which operates within the Pilgrim’s House, situated opposite the Shrine. This facility is managed by the Grand Priory of Naples and Sicily of the Order of Malta, in collaboration with the Italian Relief Corps of the Order of Malta (CISOM), and provides over 42,000 hot meals a year, alongside humanitarian support for those most in need.

The stamp is completed by the inscriptions “SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA”, “POSTE MAGISTRALI”, the Order’s coat of arms and the face value “€ 3.35”.

The sheet also features, at the top centre on two lines, the heading “SOVRANO MILITARE ORDINE DI MALTA” and “POSTE MAGISTRALI”, and at the bottom, the caption, on two lines, “ICONA DELLA BEATA VERGINE DEL SANTO ROSARIO Pontificio Santuario di Pompei” (ICON OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN OF THE HOLY ROSARY, Pontifical Shrine of Pompeii).

Credits: courtesy of the Pontifical Shrine of Pompeii.