On November 23, 1993,Vatican City issued three stamps commemorating the travels of Pope John Paul II during 1992. The 1,000-lire stamp commemorates the papal visit to Angola, Sao Tome, and Prince Islands, June 4-10, 1992. At the left, the pope is depicted with his head resting on the crucifix, which he holds in his hands.
The stamps are horizontal in format, measure 41.1 x 28 mm, and have a perforation of 11 1/4 x 11 3/4. Helio Courvoisier S.A. of Switzerland designed and printed the stamps. The total printing was 450,000 complete series. The firm printed the stamps, which were issued in sheets of twenty, on white chalky paper in multicolor rotogravure print.
Along the top of each stamp appear the dates, venues, and a dove carrying an olive branch. At the bottom appear the words CITTA DEL VATICANO, the Papal Tiara and Crossed Keys, and the value. Each stamp also includes, at the right, a statement of the Holy Father (in Italian) and his signature.
