For the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi (1226-2026), the Vatican Post Office is providing a philatelic program specifically designed for collectors featuring a miniature sheet, a first-day cancellation, a commemorative envelope and a folder. The miniature sheet is a joint issue by Vatican City, Italy, San Marino and the Sovereign Order of Malta. It depicts Giotto's fresco of Saint Clare bidding farewell to the saint's remains in the Upper Basilica of Assisi, as well as a piece from the Canticle of the Creatures.
The cancellation is inspired by the saint’s portrait in Cimabue’s "Maestà", in the Lower Basilica, and bears the date 4 October 2026. Also not to be missed is the limited and numbered "St Francis of Assisi 1226–2026" folder. For the first time, it links together the Saint's writings with works from the Vatican Museums and the Apostolic Library, all accessible by QR code. The commemorative envelope, complete with stamp and cancellation, depicts a St Francis by the school of Giunta Pisano, held in the Vatican Pinacoteca.