Obverse. Photo © kdabrowski stamps&coins
  • 5 Kwacha 2009, Malawi, Papal Visits, John Paul II in Romania
  • 5 Kwacha 2009, Malawi, Papal Visits, John Paul II in Romania
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.

From May 7 to May 9, 1999, Pope John Paul II made a groundbreaking visit to Romania, becoming the first pope to visit a predominantly Eastern Orthodox country since the Great Schism of 1054. The visit was a significant milestone in fostering unity between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches. During his stay, the Pope met with Patriarch Teoctist of the Romanian Orthodox Church, participated in ecumenical services, and celebrated both Catholic and Orthodox liturgies.

The visit was marked by large crowds and heartfelt gestures of goodwill, symbolizing hope for reconciliation between the two Christian traditions. It emphasized the Pope’s commitment to bridging divides within Christianity and strengthened relations between the Vatican and the Orthodox world.

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 facing right conjugated with Teoctist (Patriarch of Romania) wearing the koukoulion, his name below 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.

The koukoulion is a traditional monastic head covering used in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, primarily by monks who have attained the Great Schema, the highest level of monasticism. It is a black hood, often decorated with embroidered symbols like crosses, seraphim, or other sacred motifs, representing the monk’s complete dedication to God and renunciation of worldly life.

Teoctist (born Toader Arăpașu, 1915–2007) served as the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church from 1986 to 2007, guiding the Church through Romania’s transition from communism to democracy. Despite facing criticism for the Church’s cooperation with the communist regime, he is credited with preserving Orthodox traditions and revitalizing the Church’s role after the regime’s fall. Known for his dedication to ecumenism, Teoctist hosted Pope John Paul II during the historic 1999 papal visit to Romania, the first to a predominantly Orthodox country since the Great Schism. His leadership left a profound legacy in strengthening Romanian Orthodoxy and fostering interfaith dialogue.

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.

+ ROMANIA +
TEOKTYST
07.05.-09.05. 86 1999
JOHN PAUL II - PAPAL VISITS

Edge

5 Kwacha

Republic

Papal Visits
John Paul II in Romania

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KM#
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver Plated Cupronickel
Weight 25 g
Diameter 40 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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