Issue date: 01 Jul, 2011
On occasion of the celebration in Madrid of the XXVI edition of the World Youth Day, a joint stamp Spain- Vatican City is issued with both stamps depicting the official logo of this event.
It was in 1984 when Pope John Paul II decided to hold regular international celebrations of young Catholics from around the world to encourage their participation in the Catholic Church. A year later, coinciding with the United Nation's International Year of the Youth, the Church organized a concentration of young people in St. Peter's Square in Rome at which the Pope instituted the World Youth Day. The first edition was held on Palm Sunday 1986 in Rome and marked the beginning of this tradition that has contributed to giving John Paul II the nickname of "The Pope of the Youth".
Every Palm Sunday has since been designated as a World Youth Day. It is celebrated annually at a diocesan level and every two or three years organized at an international level in a different city around the world. This latter, known as the World Youth Day, lasts several days and is chaired by the Pope.
Spain hosts the World Youth Day for the second time running. The first time it took place in 1989 in Santiago de Compostela, and this time it will be held in Madrid, between the 16 and 21 August. Other venues have been: Argentina (1987), Poland (1991), USA (1993), Philippines (1995), France (1997), Italy (2000), Canada (2002), Germany (2005) and Australia (2008).
The symbols used are the Youth Cross and an image of the Virgin Mary.
The stamp is illustrated with the logo by graphic designer José Gil-Nogués allegorical to the union of young people from around the world at the foot of the Cross, making the shape of the crown of the Virgen de la Almudena, patron saint of Madrid. The crown bears the "M" for Mary and for first letter of Madrid, venue of the celebration.
Rate A - €0.75. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, up to 20 g.
Rate A2 - €0.85. For a “standard” letter or postcard within Spain, between 20 g and 50 g.
Rate B - €1.65. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to Europe (including Greenland), up to 20 g.
Rate C - €1.75. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the rest of the world (except USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand), up to 20 g.
Rate D - €2.10. For a “standard” Ordinary International letter or postcard addressed to the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, up to 20 g.