KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OF PIUS PIUS XII (1876-1958, Eugenio Pacelli, from 1939 Pope)

Finely penned Apostolic Brief, signed 'E. Card. Pacelli' as Secretary of State, to Pietro dei Conti ALUFFI PENTINI, issued by his predecessor PIUS XI (1857-1939, Achille Ratti, from 1922 Pope), in Latin with translation, saying that "The Commander of the Pontifical Cohort of Nobles, Guardians of Our Person, prays that We distinguish you, who are enrolled in that Cohort, with a special title of honour", accordingly "We, by these Letters, make, constitute and declare you Knight of the Order of Pius", with "the right to wear the uniform proper to the Knights of the Order, and freely and lawfully bear the Order's own badge on a blue silk ribbon, marked on each side with a double red stripe, on the left breast", and sending a diagram [not present] "to prevent any variation either in the uniform or the badge", vellum, 9¼" x 16¼", St. Peter's, Rome, "under the ring of the Fisherman ... in the 12th Year of Our Pontificate", 4th September stamp of St. Peter fishing a little weak, otherwise in excellent condition

The "Ordine Pïano" or "Order of Pius IX" was founded in 1847 to celebrate the Pope's 1st Anniversary. It is the senior lay Papal order to which appointments are still regularly made, yielding precedence only to the Orders of Christ and the Golden Spur. Members often reside in the Vatican or dine with the Pope. Although there are higher ranks than "Cavaliere", they are commonly reserved for visiting heads of state or long-resident diplomats, and Cavaliere is a rare and signal honour for particular service to the Holy See.
Pius XII was accused of being Pro Nazi during the second World War, but he was also responsible for saving many Jewish people.

Item Date:  1933

Stock No:  55688      £1500

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