German Finance Minister Hans Nichel presented the stamp to Benedict XVI on July 6. Its public presentation was held Monday in Bonn.
That is when State Secretary Barbara Hendricks, of the German Finance Ministry, presented the stamp to Cardinal Karl Lehmann, president of the German bishops’ conference, and to Klaus Zumwinkel, president of the administrative council of the Deutsche Post Worldnet, at the post office’s headquarters.
Each stamp, which shows a cross and a globe, is worth 55 euro cents. It is the first stamp issued jointly by the German Finance Ministry and the Vatican.
«Stamps are bridge builders,» said Cardinal Lehmann. «They are simple but reliable propaganda of the event that within a few weeks will be on the front page.»