[press release, via Google Translate]
The Light of Peace from Bethlehem is the inspiring theme of the Vatican issue dedicated to Christmas 2020, including, in addition to the traditional stamps and booklet, also a leaflet in joint issue with Austria. In the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem there is an oil lamp that has been burning perpetually for many centuries, fueled by oil donated in turn by all the Christian nations of the earth. Every year in December, just before Christmas, a child selected from among the Austrian scout groups for his particular commitment in the social field, draws from that flame is the light that will be spread throughout the planet as a symbol of peace and brotherhood among peoples, placing it near the nativity scenes of families and churches. This tradition began in 1986 as part of the 
Christmas charity initiative “Licht ins Dunkel” – Light in the darkness – organized by the Austrian radio and television broadcaster ORF in Linz and aimed to the collection of spontaneous offers in support of disabled children, socially marginalized, but also of needy foreigners.
The stamps that make up both the joint leaflet and the Vatican series and booklet portray the Infant Jesus in the foreground over the star of Bethlehem and the Christkindl Shrine of Steyer, Austria, in the value of €1.15 in the background, and in the value of €1,10 the Holy Father holding the lantern of Light from Bethlehem and St. Peter’s Basilica in the background.
DATA SHEET
Artist: Kirsten Lubach
Printing house: Royal John Enschedé Stamps BV (Holland)
Series
Fael values: € 1.10 – € 1.15
Stamp format: 30 x 40 mm
Sheet of: 10 copies – Sheet size: 180 x 100 mm
Printing: offset 5 colors (CMYK + gold)
Price of the series: € 2.25
Circulation: 130,000 complete series
Leaflet
Facial values: € 1.10 – € 1.15
Format: 34.5 x 50 mm
Sheet size: 110 x 95 mm
Printing: offset 6 colors (CMYK + gold + silver)
Price of the leaflet: Euro 2.25
Circulation: 55,000 sheets
Booklet
Number of values: 4
Face values € 1.10 – € 1.15 – Stamp format: 30 x 40 mm
Booklet size: 100 x 200 mm (open)
Printing: offset 6 colors (CMYK + gold + silver)
Booklet price: € 4.50
Circulation: 26,000 booklets
