Visit of Johannes-Paulus II in Zaïre, 1981
Pope John Paul II (1920- ) is said to be the most recognized person in the world. He is the most traveled Pope in the 2,000-year history of the Church and speaks eight languages. Born Karol Joseph Wojtyla (pronounced Voy-tee-wah) in Wadowice, Poland on May 18, 1920 to an administrative officer in the Polish army and a former schoolteacher. In 1978, at the age of 58 the College of Cardinals elected him to lead the Roman Catholic Church. He was the first non-Italian chosen as Pope in 456 years and the youngest in this century. At age 61 he suffered serious wounds during an assassination attempt.
Traveled to Africa in 1980:
Arrival in Africa, Kinshasa, Zaire on May 2, 1980. Traveled on the 5th to Brazzaville, on the end of the 5e he went to Kisangani in Zaire, later in the day he left for Nairobi.
Date of issue: 2 May 1981
Expiration date:
Design:
Printing: CD
Perforation: 13
Size: 44 x 32 mm & 32 x 44 mm
Sheet: 25
Marginal inscriptions:
Circulation: 61,000
No 1094. 5k, kneeling Pope
No 1095. 10k, Pope shaking hands with Mobutu
No 1096. 50k, Pope with Mobutu
No 1097 100k, Pope blessing child
No 1098 500k, Pope leading service
No 1099 800k, Pope behind conference table
The series:
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The imperforated series is in size and coloring exact the same as above:
Remark: the white border around these stamps is much larger when cut from a side, top, bottom or corner of a sheet.
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No’s 1097-99 without silver print (text and value)
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