Malawi 5 Kwacha 2010

History

5 Kwacha 2010, Malawi, Papal Visits, John Paul II in Poland

Obverse. Photo © ksnMTrybulski

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. A key moment of the visit was the beatification of 108 Polish martyrs who were murdered by the Germans during World War II. 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	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion, Leopard Coat of arms Malawi 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 10 UNITY AND FREEDOM 5 KWACHA
Reverse	Coat of arms Vatican City Person (religious figure) Pope John Paul II Temple (church, mosque, synagogue, pagoda etc.) Basilica Depicts Pope John Paul II weaving the crowd, the Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń in the background with the city name below it, 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 names above with crosses above and inscription of occasion and His Holiness name below. The Basilica of Our Lady of Licheń, located in Licheń Stary near Konin, Poland, is a prominent Catholic church dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, Queen of Poland. Designed by architect Barbara Bielecka and constructed between 1994 and 2004, it is funded by donations from pilgrims and stands as one of the tallest churches globally, with a height of 141.5 meters. The basilica's history dates back to 1813 when a wounded Polish soldier named Tomasz Kłossowski claimed to have received a vision of the Virgin Mary, leading to the creation of her image for public veneration. The church features a nave that is 120 meters long and 77 meters wide, with a central dome reaching 98 meters in height. It has become a major pilgrimage site in Poland, housing a significant 157-stop pipe organ, the largest in the country. Pope John Paul II blessed the basilica in 1999, further enhancing its importance in the Catholic 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. + POLAND + LICHEN 05.06.-17.06. 87 1999 JOHN PAUL II - PAPAL VISITS
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