A commemorative stamp honouring Saint Francis of Assisi was unveiled today in Assisi ahead of the 800th anniversary of the Saint’s death, which occurred in Assisi on 3 October 1226.
The joint issue, created by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Vatican City State, the Italian Republic and the Republic of San Marino, consists of a sheet featuring ‘Il commiato di Santa Chiara dalle spoglie di San Francesco’ (Saint Francis Mourned by Saint Clare), the twenty-third of the twenty-eight scenes in the cycle of frescoes depicting the ‘Storie di San Francesco’ (Stories of Saint Francis) in the Basilica superiore of Assisi, traditionally attributed to Giotto. The scene depicts Saint Clare embracing the body of Saint Francis.
The upper left corner of the sheet bears the concluding verses of Saint Francis’ ‘Cantico delle Creature’ (Canticle of the Creatures), dedicated to ‘sora nostra Morte corporale’ (our Sister, Bodily Death). The complete Cantico has been divided into four sections, each appearing on one of the four participating postal administrations’ issues, allowing the entire work to be reconstructed by bringing together all four stamps.
Representatives of the local institutions and organisations involved in the joint issue attended the presentation ceremony, held in the Press Room of the Sacred Convent of Saint Francis.
In his remarks, the Order of Malta’s Secretary General of the Common Treasure Giorgio Amodeo highlighted the profound affinity between Franciscan spirituality and the Order of Malta’s founding mission, tuitio fidei et obsequium pauperum – the defence of the faith and service to the poor. Both are rooted in a commitment to caring for, protecting and supporting those most in need, particularly the sick, the wounded, refugees and, more broadly, the most vulnerable members of society. For almost a millennium, the Order of Malta has translated these values into concrete medical, humanitarian and social assistance programmes around the world.
The joint issue will be officially released on Sunday, 4 October 2026, the national feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, and will be available for purchase at the Poste Magistrali office counter in Rome from Monday, 5 October.
To mark the 800th anniversary of Saint Francis’ death, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta will also issue a commemorative coin as part of its 2026 numismatic programme, dedicated to this significant anniversary.
