Obverse. Photo © ksnMTrybulski
  • 5 Kwacha 2009, Malawi, Papal Visits, John Paul II in Poland
  • 5 Kwacha 2009, Malawi, Papal Visits, John Paul II in Poland
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 visited Poland from May 31 to June 10, 1997, as part of a pilgrimage commemorating the 1,050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland. This visit held great significance for the Polish people, as it marked a celebration of their Christian heritage and national identity. During the trip, the Pope addressed various social and political issues, urging Poles to remain faithful to their Christian values amid the challenges of modern life. He held Masses in several cities, including Warsaw and Kraków, and visited historic sites, reinforcing his deep connection to his homeland and inspiring a renewed sense of faith among the Polish faithful.

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 wearing a cassock, and mitre and holding a papal ferula, the silver coffin of Saint Wojciech (St. Adalbert of Prague), patron saint of Poland, in Gothic Archcathedral Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the background with the city name (Gniezno) and his name of him below coffin, 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.

Adalbert of Prague, known as Święty Wojciech in Polish, was a Czech missionary and Bishop of Prague, born around 956. He became a Christian saint and is revered as the patron saint of Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Archdiocese of Esztergom in Hungary. Adalbert was martyred in 997 while attempting to convert the Baltic Prussians to Christianity. Though often credited with composing the oldest Czech hymn, Hospodine, pomiluj ny, and the Polish anthem Bogurodzica, his authorship remains unconfirmed.

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.

+ + POLAND + +
GNIEZNO
ST.ADALBERT
31.05.-10.06. 78 1997
JOHN PAUL II - PAPAL VISITS

Edge

5 Kwacha

Republic

Papal Visits
John Paul II in Poland

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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