MaltaPost on Saturday will be issuing a stamp in memory of Pope Francis.

Pope Francis 1936-2025 Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was elected pope on 13 March 2013 following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

He chose "Francis" as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi. Pope Francis had a close relationship with the Maltese following his visit to Malta and Gozo in 2022, followed by his appointment of Bishop Mario Grech to the rank of cardinal on 28 November of that same year.

Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His final resting place will be in the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome.

In memory of this humble pope, MaltaPost will issue a new stamp on Saturday 26 April 2025. This stamp will be issued in a sheet of 10, each measuring 31mm x 44mm, with a comb perforation of 14.1 x 14.2 and containing the Maltese Cross watermark.

The sheets measure 182mm x 115mm and were produced by Printex Limited in the offset process. The issue consists of 25,000 stamps, each bearing a denomination of €1.50.

The new stamp will be available from all Post Offices in Malta and Gozo as from Saturday 26 April 2025. Orders may be placed online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c., 305, Qormi Road, Marsa, MTP 1001; by telephone 2596 1740 or via e-mail [email protected]