| ISSUE DATE: | 19 February 2015 |
| NOMINAL VALUE: | 2.15€ |
| CIRCULATION: | 150 000 |
| PRINTER: | Cartor, France |
| PRINTING PROCESS: | Offset |
| STAMP SIZE: | 48 mm x 31.5 mm |
| PERFORATIONS: | 13¼ x 13¼ |
| SHEET SIZE: | 132 mm x 186 mm |
| SHEET LAYOUT: | 10 |
The United Nations General Assembly 6801 Session proclaimed 2015 as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies. Light plays a fundamental role in sustaining lite on earth through photosynthesis. Studies and ongoing discoveries have shown how the many applications of light through medicine, communications, culture, and entertainment have revolutionized society.
The international year will have a broad focus, not only on the scientific dimension, but also on the need to promote greater public knowledge and awareness on the way light-based technologies can sustain human development. Numerous and varied events will take place during the year with activities organized at the regional, national and international levels.
Other goals of the initiative include improving the quality of lite, promoting science careers for women, and education for young people. The Holy See takes an active role in contributing to the international scientific community dedicated to the study of natural phenomena and their effects and influence on society.
The Vatican's historic telescopes at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, and its ultra-modem telescope in Tucson, Arizona (picture), are a living testimony to this longstanding and ongoing commitment to scientific research. The commemorative stamp issued by Vatican City features a detail of a Sistine Chapel fresco by Michelangelo on the creation of the stars, an eternal symbol that all comes from and returns to God the Creator.
At the beginning of the Bible we read: "Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good. God then separated the light from the darkness. God called the light 'day', and the darkness he called 'night'. Evening carne, and moming followed" (Genesis 1:3-5).
:: 10 Stamps Sheet
