Encountering the Pope through the Post

ANDREW CHASE ’26, ARCHDIOCESE OF BALTIMORE

Letter writing is nothing new in Rome—it was through a letter that St. Paul originally spoke to the Christian community here, providing such a magnificent account of the crucified Christ that it has been described by NT Wright as “an alpine peak” of Pauline Theology. Later, Paul would arrive in the imperial city with Peter, this time to preach the Gospel from his own tongue. And while he would be killed by the emperor alongside Peter, thus silencing his voice, his words live on through his letters.

Today in Rome, that same spirit that led Paul to ask Phoebe to deliver his letter proclaiming the Good News continues to live on—now with Romans, tourists, and NAC seminarians relying on the Vatican Post. This service, operated by the Holy See, is considered by many as the most efficient way to deliver their mail to family and friends overseas. Whether it be through a postcard of an historic site, a thank you note for someone’s generosity, or a letter to check in with someone and share how God is working in our lives, the postal service allows us to be present to our loved ones back home despite being thousands of miles apart.

But what is uniquely peculiar about sending mail through a post office handled by the successor to Peter is that the image of the Pope is infused into our communications. One is able to gaze into the heart of the Pontificate through the stamps of Vatican Post, as the stamp designs mirror the Pope’s own message. Under Francis, many postage stamps have been issued on care for the environment, such as the one pictured here. Not only are certain themes highlighted, but the Vatican Post also promotes many events and anniversaries with stamps, depicting everything from the 5th Anniversary of the World Day for the Poor to the 500th Anniversary of the Conversion of St. Ignatius. Yet what is most prevalent on the covers of envelopes is the annual pontifical theme. Pope Francis has been featured meeting the young and the elderly, engaging in dialogue with other religious figures, and perhaps the favorite at the NAC, embracing a puppy.

These small images speak of the message of encounter that has been so central to his message of living like Christ. And so, with these stamps, Vatican Post allows us to literally tack on an envelope an image of the Pope to send around the world as we try to remain close to our family and friends. And in doing so, many of us have been drawn closer to Pope Francis, being able to encounter him preaching the gospel by gazing upon the simple image of a stamp. n