Benemerenti medal
The Benemerenti Medal (Croce pro Benemerenti, Cross for Meritorious [Service]) is a medal awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church. Originally established as an award for soldiers in the Papal Army, it is now a civil decoration but may still be awarded to members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
Benemerenti medal
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- Benemerenti Medal
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The Benemerenti Medal (Croce pro Benemerenti, Cross for Meritorious [Service]) is a medal awarded by the Pope to members of the clergy and laity for service to the Catholic Church. Originally established as an award for soldiers in the Papal Army, it is now a civil decoration but may still be awarded to members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard.
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Dimitrie Paciurea
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Mircea Deac: „Himera” - viața și opera sculptorului D. Paciurea , Editura Albatros, București, 1970
Awarded · incoming
Maria von Trapp
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This image is available from the United States Library of Congress 's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID ds.03555 . This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached wo
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Benemerenti Medal • Country — Holy See • Eligibility — Clergy and laity • Awarded For — Long (>3 years) and exceptional service to the Catholic Church • Status — Active • Established — 1832 • Higher — Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice • Lower — Lateran Cross Jerusalem Pilgrim's Cross • Caption2 — Ribbon of the medal
History
History
The Benemerenti Medal was first awarded by Pope Pius VI (1775–1799) as a military decoration. In 1831 under Pope Gregory XVI a special Benemerenti medal was struck to reward those who fought courageously in the Papal army at Ferrara, Bologna, and Vienna. In 1925, the concept of awarding this medal as a mark of recognition to persons in service of the Catholic Church, both civil and military, lay and clergy alike, became acceptable. Members of the Swiss Guard may receive it for three years of faithful service.
Appearance
Appearance
The current version of the Benemerenti medal was designed by Pope Paul VI. The medal is a gold Greek Cross depicting Christ with his hand raised in blessing. On the left arm of the cross is the tiara and crossed keys symbol of the papacy. On the right arm is the coat of arms of the current Pope. The medal is suspended from a yellow and white ribbon, the colors of the Papacy. Previous versions and variants consisted mainly of a round medal with the portrait of the reigning Pope on the front and a laurel wreath with an inscription "BENEMERENTI" or "BENE MERENTI" on the back.
Gallery
Gallery
• Illustration — Benemerenti Medal (1984) • Illustration — Benemerenti Medal (2009) • Illustration — Benemerenti Medal (2009)
Recipients
Recipients
• List of Benemerenti medal recipients
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2- Dimitrie PaciureaArtist
Established from a fact already recorded on a verified source.
- Maria von TrappAuthor
Established from a fact already recorded on a verified source.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 27 September 2026.
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