Malawi 5 Kwacha 2005

History

5 Kwacha 2005, Malawi, Papal Visits, John Paul II in the United Kingdom

Obverse. Photo © WCN

Description

During his reign, Pope John Paul II, known as "The Pilgrim Pope," made 146 pastoral visits within Italy and 104 international trips, covering over 1,167,000 km (725,000 mi), more than all previous popes combined. He attracted massive crowds, with some of the largest gatherings in history. While some destinations, such as the United States and Israel, had been visited by his predecessor Paul VI, many were unprecedented papal visits. John Paul II visited 129 countries, including nine visits to Poland, eight to France, seven to the United States, and five each to Mexico and Spain. His travels spanned six continents, reaching countries such as Albania, Brazil, India, Israel, and the Philippines.

Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to the United Kingdom from May 28 to June 2, 1982, marking the first papal visit to Britain since the Reformation. The trip was significant for its interfaith dialogue and reconciliation efforts, as the Pope sought to heal historical divisions between Catholics and Anglicans. He visited several key locations, including London, Birmingham, and Cardiff, where he celebrated Mass and engaged with various communities, emphasizing the themes of peace, social justice, and the importance of faith in public life. The Pope's address at Westminster Hall was particularly poignant, as he spoke about the need for moral values in society and the importance of protecting human rights. His visit was met with a mix of enthusiasm and protest, but it ultimately succeeded in fostering a spirit of unity and dialogue, laying the groundwork for improved relations between the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations in the UK.

Obverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion, Leopard Coat of arms Malawi Depicts the emblem of Malawi dividing the date, country name above and denomination below. Malawi's coat of arms is based on Nyasaland's earlier heraldic arms. It features a shield supported by a lion and a leopard, standing on a representation of Mount Mulanje. The shield is divided into three parts: wavy lines symbolizing water, a central stripe with a lion representing strength, and a rising sun, symbolizing hope and new beginnings. Above the shield is a fish eagle in front of a rising sun, symbolizing freedom. The scroll below the shield bears the national motto, "Unity and Freedom," reflecting Malawi's goals of harmony and independence. REPUBLIC OF MALAWI 20 05 UNITY AND FREEDOM 5 KWACHA
Reverse	Coat of arms Vatican City Person (religious figure) Pope John Paul II Temple (church, mosque, synagogue, pagoda etc.) Canterbury Cathedral Depicts a portrait of Pope John Paul II smiling blessing the crowd with the front facades of the Canterbury Cathedral from the city entrance in Westminster in the background, the Vatican emblem below them behind a banner containing the date of visit (days and year) and the number of visits within a circle from 104 Papal visits surrounded by country name above with crosses above and inscription of occasion and His Holiness name below. Canterbury Cathedral, located in Kent, is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the spiritual leader of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion. It is one of England's oldest Christian buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally founded in 597, the cathedral was rebuilt between 1070 and 1077, with major expansions in the 12th century to accommodate pilgrims visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket, who was murdered there in 1170. The Gothic-style cathedral we see today was shaped by later reconstructions, replacing earlier Norman structures. Before the Reformation, it was part of a Benedictine monastic community. The coat of arms of the Holy See combines two crossed keys and a tiara, used as the official emblem of the Holy See, and by extension the wider Catholic Church. These forms have origins attested from the 14th century. The combination of one gold and one silver key is a somewhat later development. + + + + UNITED KINGDOM + + + + WESTMINSTER 28.05.-02.06. 12 1982 JOHN PAUL II - PAPAL VISITS
Edge	Reeded (milled)