Blessed John Paul II special stamps out Monday

Starting Monday, stamp collectors may get to add to their collection as the Philippine Postal Corp. issues special stamps on the beatification of Pope John Paul II. The PhilPost said it will issue a total of 140,000 stamps that will have a denomination of P7. "Also to be issued is a souvenir sheet with a denomination of P40.00 and quantity of 7,000 pieces. The First Day Cover includes the block of four stamps," it said in a news release on its website. The late Pope John Paul II was beatified in Rome last May 1, before an estimated 1.5 million pilgrims. PhilPost noted that since the late pope's death in 2005, thousands have been supporting the case for beatifying and canonizing him. It said his successor, Pope Benedict XVI, referred to him as “the great Pope John Paul II" in his first address from the loggia [ground gallery] of St Peter’s Church. Pope Benedict XVI also referred to Pope John Paul II as “the Great" in his published written homily for the Mass of Repose." — LBG, GMA News