Popes on the Stamps of Vatican City:
More from the Second Millennium

In addition to the popes from the second millennium presented in earlier articles, this excerpt covers eight popes who reigned from the 14th century through the 19th century who have been depicted on stamps: four found on individual stamp releases and four honored in the release featuring the works of the great sculptor Antonio Canova. The popes from the late 19th and all of the 20th century will be reviewed in upcoming articles, since those popes have been extensively portrayed on the stamps of Vatican City. Gregory XI: serving from 1370 to 1378, and the last of the Avignon popes, Gregory XI returned to Rome in 1377, the event depicted on the stamp shown (Scott 614a). The return marked the end of 70 years of papal residency in Avignon, France, and his death was followed by the Western Schism of 1378, involving two Avignon-based antipopes: 600th Anniversary of the Return of Pope Gregory XI to Rome from Avignon Scott 614a (1977) Leo X: pope from 1513 to 1521, Leo X was a member of the prominent Medici family. His papacy coincided with the start of the Protestant Reformation under Martin Luther in 1517. A lover of the arts, Leo X continued the practice of embellishing the Vatican with the works of the great Renaissance artists of his time. Leo X was the last pope not to have been an ordained priest prior to his election as pope. He is remembered on one of the two stamps from the set entitled "Popes of the Renaissance", along with Pope Julius II: Popes of the Renaissance: Pope Leo X Scott 1540 (2013) Adrian VI: succeeding Leo X in 1522, Adrian VI served only 20 months as pope until his death in September of 1523. He has the distinction of being the only Dutchman elected to the papacy, and he was the last non-Italian pope prior to the election of John Paul II of Poland in 1978—455 years later: Pope Adrian VI: 5th Centenary of Election Scott 1787 (2022) Clement XI: elected to the papacy in 1700, Clement XI served for over 20 years until his death in 1722. He was a patron of the arts and had a keen interest in science, and greatly aided the Vatican Library. His interest in archaeology helped save much of Rome's antiquity, and the expeditions he commissioned aided in the rediscovery of ancient Christian writings during excavations of the Roman catacombs. He was honored on a triptych of three stamps commemorating the 300th anniversary of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy: Pope Clement XI (left): 300th Anniversary of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy Scott 1214 (2002) In 1958, the Vatican Post Office issued four stamps illustrating the works of the great sculptor Antonio Canova (1757-1822), released to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth. The stamps picture his sculptures of four contemporary and consecutive popes from the late 17th and early 18th century. Clement XIII: the Bishop of Rome from 1758 to 1769, the pontificate of Clement XIII was marked by attempts to suppress the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), although turned out to be their greatest defender. He also attempted to heal the schism between the Protestants and the Catholic Church. In addition to the stamp showing his image by Canova, Clement XIII was also honored on the Vatican City aerogramme from 2008 marking the 350th anniversary of his pontificate: Pope Clement XIII: 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Antonio Canova Scott 243 (1958) Pope Clement XIII: 350th Anniversary of Pontificate Aerogramme, 2008 Clement XIV: the five-year rule of Clement XIV covered the years 1769 to 1774. At the time of his election, he was the only Franciscan friar in the College of Cardinals. During his pontificate, the Jesuit Order (Society of Jesus) was suppressed by the Catholic Church, following their expulsion from a number of countries across Europe. Clement XIV attempted to smooth temporal relations with Catholic kingdoms following the suppression of the Jesuits. Pope Clement XIV: 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Antonio Canova Scott 244 (1958) Pius VI: pope from 1775 to 1799, Pius VI has been reviewed previously. Stamps depicting Pius VI appeared in the "Popes of the Holy Years" series, as well as the "Popes and Saint Peter's Basilica" set. It is worth repeating that he ruled as the French Revolution broke out in 1789, and that he was taken prisoner by the French in 1797 and moved to France, where he died in 1799. Pope Pius VI: 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Antonio Canova Scott 245 (1958) Pius VII: succeeding the captured Pius VI in 1800, Pope Pius VII's pontificate lasted until 1823. His attempts to reconcile with Napoleon at first succeeded. But, in 1809, Napoleon once again invaded the Papal States and eventually imprisoned Pius VII, taking him to France. He returned to Rome in 1814, after the fall of Napoleon. He was hailed as a hero and a defender of the faith, and lived peacefully until his death. Pope Pius VII: 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Antonio Canova Scott 246 (1958)