Benemerenti medal

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The Benemerenti Medal is a papal award given by the Pope to clergy and lay people for long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church. It started as a military honor for the Papal Army and is now a civil decoration, but may still be awarded to members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard after three years of faithful service.

Historically, it was first awarded by Pope Pius VI as a military decoration. In 1831 a special version was issued to reward bravery in the Papal army at Ferrara, Bologna, and Vienna. In 1925 the idea expanded to recognize service to the Church by both civil and military personnel, lay and clergy alike.

The current version, designed by Pope Paul VI, features a gold Greek cross with Christ blessing. The left arm shows the papal tiara and crossed keys, while the right arm bears the coat of arms of the reigning Pope. It hangs from a yellow and white ribbon, the colors of the Papacy. Earlier versions were round, with the reigning Pope’s portrait on the front and a laurel wreath with the inscription BENEMERENTI or BENE MERENTI on the back.