ISLE OF MAN Post is issuing two special postage stamps and two stamp labels on August 15 to commemorate Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVl and World Youth Day 2005.
Young people from the Isle of Man, part of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, will be among more than a million young people who will travel to Cologne to hear Pope Benedict XVI on his first overseas trip since his election.
The pictures – of the Apostolic Palace and St Peter’s Basilica, Rome – were provided by Peter Jennings, press secretary to the Archbishop of Birmingham. Mr Jennings is a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society London.
“It’s the first time that postage stamps depicting the Apostolic Palace (42p) and St Peter’s Basilica (£1.50) have received Royal Approval from the Queen,” said Mr Jennings, who wrote the text for the front of the presentation pack.
“They will be greatly sought after and make a superb addition to any stamp collection.” Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Birmingham has also assisted in the creation of the stamps.