“May your finest badge be a heart that knows how to protect”
These were the words of Pope Leo XIV during his homily at the Mass celebrated at the Lourdes Grotto in the Vatican Gardens for the Gendarmerie Corps on Saturday afternoon, 3 October, on the occasion of the feast of its Patron Saint Michael the Archangel.
During these days dedicated to the memory of Saint Francis of Assisi, we recall one of the most universally recognized figures in human history, one of extraordinary simplicity, fraternity and profound respect for creation. His example continues to speak to people of every culture and generation, inviting us to rediscover the value of what is essential and the importance of caring for others.
Joint Issue with Italy, San Marino, and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
On the eve of the anniversary of the death of St. Francis 800 years ago on October 3, 1226, the presentation of the joint postage stamp issue commemorating this important anniversary was held in the town of Assisi.
October 4 marks the liturgical feast of St. Francis of Assisi. To celebrate this occasion, the Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of Vatican City State has dedicated to the Saint a souvenir sheet, a special die emissionis postmark, a commemorative envelope, and a presentation folder on the 800th anniversary of his death.
By a Chirograph dated 1 June 2026, Pope Leo XIV established the Fratello Sole Foundation with the aim of constructing and managing, including from a financial standpoint, an agrivoltaic facility at Santa Maria di Galeria. The facility is intended not only to meet the electricity needs of all existing and planned facilities at the site, but also to ensure the complete energy supply of Vatican City State.
The exhibition “Più di mille parole. Immagini da L’Osservatore Romano” [More than a Thousand Words. Images from L’Osservatore Romano] was inaugurated on Wednesday, 30 September, in the Raphael Hall of the Vatican Museums. The exhibition is on display in Rooms XVII and XVIII of the Pinacoteca.
“Fifteen Years Since the First Anti-Money Laundering (AML) / Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Law in the Holy See and Vatican City State – Developments and Perspectives” was the theme of the international conference held in The Dome at Luiss University in Rome on Tuesday 29 September. The event was organized by the Supervisory and Financial Information Authority (ASIF).
"Heavenly Religions" Exhibition Inaugurated at the Vatican Museums in Collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Holy See and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation
Effective October 1, Engineer Francesco Mozzetti was appointed Deputy Director of the Infrastructure Sector of the Directorate of Infrastructure and Services of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
The Postal and Philatelic Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems of the Governorate of Vatican City State has issued a special postmark to mark the Apostolic Journey of Pope Leo XIV to France, which took place from September 25 to 28. Four commemorative stamps have also been issued, together with their respective special postmarks.
