Obverse. Photo © ksnMTrybulski
  • 5 Kwacha 2009, Malawi, Papal Visits, John Paul II in Austria
  • 5 Kwacha 2009, Malawi, Papal Visits, John Paul II in Austria
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's visit to Austria in June 1998 marked his third trip to the country and culminated with a large outdoor Mass in Vienna's Heldenplatz. During the three-day visit, the Pope presided over the beatification ceremony of three Austrians, an event attended by nearly 50,000 faithful. The trip emphasized Austria's Catholic heritage and provided the Pope an opportunity to address both religious and cultural issues, urging Austrians to remain rooted in their Christian values while embracing the challenges of modern society.

Obverse

Depicts the coat of arms 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 09
UNITY AND FREEDOM
5 KWACHA

Reverse

Depicts Pope John Paul II, the south façade of Salzburg Cathedral with dome and towers, the Fortress Hohensalzburg behind it in the background, the city name (Salzburg) below it, 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 names above with crosses above and inscription of occasion and His Holiness name below.

Salzburg Cathedral is a Baroque-style church in Salzburg, Austria, and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Salzburg. Originally founded by Saint Rupert in 774 on the site of a former Roman town, it was rebuilt in 1181 after a fire. In the 17th century, the cathedral was completely redesigned in its current Baroque form under Prince-Bishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau. Notably, it contains the baptismal font where composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized.

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.

+ AUSTRIA +
SALZBURG
19.06.-21.06. 88 1998
JOHN PAUL II - PAPAL VISITS

Edge

5 Kwacha

Republic

Papal Visits
John Paul II in Austria

Subscribe series
KM#
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver Plated Cupronickel
Weight 27.1 g
Diameter 38.7 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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