This coming December 13, Pope Francis will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his Ordination to the priesthood. Made the occasion, on Monday, November 4, 2019, the Vatican’s Philatelic and Numismatic Office issued two stamps, which reproduce two paintings made by Spanish paint-er Raul Berzosa. The first of the stamps, with the value of 1.10 euros, reproduces a portrait of “Young Jorge Bergoglio,” reported the Diocese of Malaga, Spain. “The joy of that December 13, 1969, eve of the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday or Sunday of Joy), when he was ordained priest,” explains the painter, commenting on the portrait.

Painted on the left side of the portrait is the Basilica of Saint Joseph of Flores, because Bergoglio, walking on a spring day, passed by the Church of the neighbourhood of Flores and went it to go to Confession. “It was there that he felt God was calling him” and “he left with the conviction to embrace the priesthood,” said the Malaga artist.

On the right, is one of Bergoglio’s “great devotions, which has accompanied him up to today, the ‘Virgin Undoer of Knots.’ He took <the image> to Buenos Aires after learning her title during one of his trips to Ger-many. Bluish colors predominate on the canvas in reference to Argentina,” explained Berzosa. The second stamp, with the value of 1.15 euros, has a printed image of “Pope Francis, representing him as Pontiff. Raul Berzosa pointed out that the painting “is dedicated to Mercy.”