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{{Short description|Papal Order of Knighthood of the Holy See}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox order
{{Infobox order
|title = Order of Pope Pius IX<br />{{lang-it|Ordine di Papa Pio IX}}
| name = Order of Pope Pius IX
| native_name = {{smaller|{{nobold|{{native name|it|Ordine di Pio IX}}}}}}
⚫
|image = [[Image:3° Conde de ParatyDSC02687.JPG|250px|]]
| native_name_lang = it
⚫
|caption = Knight's cross of the Order of Pius IX
⚫
| image = 3° Conde de ParatyDSC02687.JPG
⚫
|awarded_by = {{flag|Holy See}}
|type = [[Papal order of knighthood]]
| alt =
⚫
| caption = Knight's cross of the Order of Pius IX
|established = 1847
⚫
| awarded_by = the {{flag|Holy See}}
|motto = ''VIRTUTI ET MERITO''<br />(Virtue and Merit)<ref name=cathenc/>
|day =
| type = [[Papal order of knighthood]]
| established = {{Start date and age|1847|6|17|df=yes}}<ref name=cathenc/>
⚫
|eligibility =
|for =
| country =
|status = Currently constituted
| religion = [[Catholic Church|Catholic]]
|head_title = Sovereign
| seat =
|head = {{Incumbent pope 2}}
| ribbon =
|chancellor =
| motto = {{plainlist|
* {{native name|la|Virtuti et Merito}}<ref name=cathenc/>
⚫
|commander =
* {{native name|en|Virtue and Merit}}
|former_grades =
}}
|grades = Knight with the Collar<br />Knight/Dame Grand Cross <br />Knight/Dame Grand Officer<br />Knight/Dame Commander<br />Knight/Dame
⚫
| eligibility =
|date = 17 June 1847<ref name=cathenc/>
⚫
| criteria =
⚫
|first_induction =
| status = Currently constituted
⚫
|last_induction =
|total =
| first_head = [[Pope Pius IV]]
|recipients =
| head_title = Sovereign
| head = {{Incumbent pope 2}}
|individual =
|higher = [[Order of the Golden Spur]]
| classes = {{plainlist|
* Knight/Dame with the Collar (GCCPO)
⚫
|lower = [[Order of St. Gregory the Great]]
* Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCPO)
⚫
|image2 = [[File:VA Ordine Piano BAR.svg|85px]]
* Knight/Dame Commander with Star (KC*PO/DC*PO)
⚫
|caption2 = Ribbon bar of the order
* Knight/Dame Commander (KCPO/DCPO)
* Knight/Dame (KPO/DPO)
}}
| website =
⚫
| first_induction =
⚫
| last_induction =
| total =
| higher = [[Order of the Golden Spur]]
⚫
| lower = [[Order of St. Gregory the Great]]
| related =
⚫
| image2 = [[File:VA Ordine Piano BAR.svg|85px]]
| alt2 =
⚫
| caption2 = Ribbon bar of the order
}}
}}


The '''Order of Pope Pius IX''' ({{lang-it|Ordine di Pio IX}}), also referred as the '''Pian Order''' ({{lang-it|Ordine Piano}}, {{IPA-it|piˈaːno|pron}}), is a [[papal order of knighthood]] originally founded by [[Pope Pius IV]] in 1560. Currently, it is the highest honor conferred by the Holy See (being the [[Supreme Order of Christ|Order of Christ]] and the [[Order of the Golden Spur]] currently dormant).The awarding of the order fell into disuse and was re-instituted by [[Pope Pius IX]] as a continuation on 17 June 1847.<ref name=cathenc>{{CathEncy |wstitle= Pontifical Decorations |first=P.M.J. |last=Rock}}</ref>
The '''Order of Pope Pius IX''' ({{langx|it|Ordine di Pio IX}}), also referred as the '''Pian Order''' ({{langx|it|Ordine Piano}}, {{IPA|it|piˈaːno|pron}}), is a [[papal order of knighthood]] originally founded by [[Pope Pius IV]] in 1560. Currently, it is the highest honor conferred by the Holy See (being the [[Supreme Order of Christ|Order of Christ]] and the [[Order of the Golden Spur]] currently dormant). The awarding of the order fell into disuse and was re-instituted by [[Pope Pius IX]] as a continuation on 17 June 1847.<ref name=cathenc>{{CathEncy |wstitle= Pontifical Decorations |first=P.M.J. |last=Rock}}</ref>


The highest rank awarded by the Pope is the ''Collar of the Order'', usually to Catholic heads of state on the occasion of official visits to the Holy See. The ''Grand Cross'' is the highest Papal award given to lay men and women, ordinarily given to resident Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See after two years in post and rarely to exceptional Catholics in the wider world for particular services, mainly in the international field and for outstanding deeds for Church and society.
The highest rank awarded by the Pope is the ''Collar of the Order'', usually to Catholic heads of state on the occasion of official visits to the [[Holy See]]. The ''[[Grand Cross]]'' is the highest Papal award given to lay men and women, ordinarily given to resident Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See after two years in post and rarely to exceptional Catholics in the wider world for particular services, mainly in the international field and for outstanding deeds for Church and society.


The rank of Knight is almost never awarded, and when it happens, it is given in recognition of high-profile services rendered to the Holy See or directly to the person of the Pontiff, by Catholic faithful of distinguished status, almost always belonging to ancient European noble families.
The rank of Knight is almost never awarded, and when it happens, it is given in recognition of high-profile services rendered to the Holy See or directly to the person of the [[Pontiff]], by Catholic faithful of distinguished status, almost always belonging to ancient European noble families.


The other two ranks (Commander and Commander with Star) are granted sparingly to lay Catholics, usually in diplomatic roles, for extraordinary merit or deeds for the Church and society. The order is awarded to Catholics and, on occasion and only for diplomatic reasons, to non-Catholics and non-Christians as well.
The other two ranks (Commander and Commander with Star) are granted sparingly to lay Catholics, usually in diplomatic roles, for extraordinary merit or deeds for the Church and society. The order is awarded to Catholics and, on occasion and only for diplomatic reasons, to non-Catholics and non-Christians as well.
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==History of the Order==
==History of the Order==
[[Image:Ritratto di Pio IV.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pope Pius IV]], founded the first ''Pian Order'' in 1560.]]
[[Image:Ritratto di Pio IV.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pope Pius IV]], founded the first ''Pian Order'' in 1560.]]
The Order was founded on 17 June 1847, by Pope [[Pope Pius IX|Pius IX]] with the decree ''Romanis Pontificibus,'' placing it as the continuation of the ancient order established by Pope Pius IV with the bull ''Pii patris amplissimi'' on March 1559.<ref name=":0" /> These noble knights formed the lay court of the Roman Pontiff, being defined participants, since they "participated" in the life of the Pontiff, offering him an escort and often residing in the [[Apostolic Palace]]; they often shared the table with the Pontiff and accompanied him during his daily tasks.
The Order was founded on 17 June 1847, by Pope [[Pope Pius IX|Pius IX]] with the decree ''[[Romanis Pontificibus]],'' placing it as the continuation of the ancient order established by [[Pope Pius IV]] with the bull ''Pii patris amplissimi'' on March 1559.<ref name=":0" /> These noble knights formed the lay court of the Roman Pontiff, being defined participants, since they "participated" in the life of the Pontiff, offering him an escort and often residing in the [[Apostolic Palace]]; they often shared the table with the Pontiff and accompanied him during his daily tasks.


The subsequent decree ''Cum Hominum Mentes'' of 17 June 1849, confirmed the ancient privilege of personal nobility through membership in the Pian Order, thus creating it the only ennobler of the Holy Apostolic See. With another decree dated 11 November 1856, the Roman Pontiff himself divided the Order into three classes: Knight Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight.
The subsequent decree ''Cum Hominum Mentes'' of 17 June 1849, confirmed the ancient privilege of personal nobility through membership in the Pian Order, thus creating it the only ennobler of the Holy Apostolic See. With another decree dated 11 November 1856, the Roman Pontiff himself divided the Order into three classes: Knight Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight.
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Pope Pius X reformed the Pontifical orders with the decree ''Multum ad excitandos'' of 7 February 1905,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Acta Sanctae Sedis: ephemerides romanae a SS.mo D. N. Pio PP. X|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ass/documents/ASS-37-1904-5-ocr.pdf|access-date=31 January 2022|website=Vatican.va|page=565}}</ref> the new class of Commander with star (correspondent to the class of Grand Officer) was created.
Pope Pius X reformed the Pontifical orders with the decree ''Multum ad excitandos'' of 7 February 1905,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Acta Sanctae Sedis: ephemerides romanae a SS.mo D. N. Pio PP. X|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ass/documents/ASS-37-1904-5-ocr.pdf|access-date=31 January 2022|website=Vatican.va|page=565}}</ref> the new class of Commander with star (correspondent to the class of Grand Officer) was created.


The Pian Order was then reformed again by Pope Pius XII, with a Bull dated 11 November 1939, which suppressed the privilege of nobility.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Direzione dell'Annuario Pontificio presso la Segreteria di Stato Vaticana|title=Annuario Pontificio|publisher=LEV - Libreria Editrice Vaticana|year=1968|isbn=|location=Città del Vaticano|pages=1103|language=Italian}}</ref> From the historical point of view, the Knighthood of the Grand Cross of the Pian Order has held the role that was of the Militia Aurata before the reform of Gregory XVI, namely that of title of rank and ennobling of the Holy See from the sixteenth century to 1841.
The Pian Order was then reformed again by Pope Pius XII, with a Bull dated 11 November 1939, which suppressed the privilege of nobility.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Direzione dell'Annuario Pontificio presso la Segreteria di Stato Vaticana|title=Annuario Pontificio|publisher=LEV - Libreria Editrice Vaticana|year=1968|isbn=|location=Città del Vaticano|pages=1103|language=Italian}}</ref> From the historical point of view, the Knighthood of the Grand Cross of the Pian Order has held the role that was of the Militia Aurata before the reform of [[Pope Gregory XVI|Gregory XVI]], namely that of title of rank and ennobling of the Holy See from the sixteenth century to 1841.


==Order of Classes==
==Order of Classes==
[[File:De_Piusorde_1893.jpg|left|thumb|100px|1893 artistic sketch of the medal]]
[[File:De_Piusorde_1893.jpg|left|thumb|100px|1893 artistic sketch of the medal]]
The Order comprises five classes:<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Papal Order of Pius IX |url=https://www.papalknights.org/pian.html |access-date=July 19, 2024 |website=The Christian Knighthood Information Center}}</ref>
The Order comprises five classes:


*''Knight with the Collar'': who wear a gold chain around their shoulders which is decorated with the papal [[tiara]] and two doves, and on the breast a large star. It is the highest active [[Papal Orders of Knighthood|papal decoration]], and is reserved for [[head of state|heads of state]].
*'' Knight with the Collar'' (GCCPO): who wear a gold chain around their shoulders which is decorated with the papal [[tiara]] and two doves, and on the breast a large star. It is the highest active [[Papal Orders of Knighthood|papal decoration]], and is reserved for [[head of state|heads of state]].
*''Knight / Dame Grand Cross'' (GCPO): who wear a wide dark blue silk [[ribbon]] (sash) bordered with red which extends [[saltire]]-wise from the left shoulder to the right side where the insignia of the order is suspended by a [[Rosette (decoration)|rosette]], and on the breast a large diamond-studded star. It is commonly awarded to the ambassadors accredited to the Holy See.
*''Knight/Dame Grand Cross'' (GCPO):<ref>{{Cite web |title=Order of Pius IX (Pian Order) |url=https://www.papalorders.ie/index.php/pontifical-booklet/different-orders/14-order-of-pius-ix-pian-order |access-date=19 July 2024 |website=Association of Papal Orders in Ireland}}</ref> who wear a wide dark blue silk [[ribbon]] (sash) bordered with red which extends [[saltire]]-wise from the left shoulder to the right side where the insignia of the order is suspended by a [[Rosette (decoration)|rosette]], and on the breast a large diamond-studded star. It is commonly awarded to the ambassadors accredited to the Holy See.
*''Knight / Dame Commander with Star'' (KC*PO / DC*PO): who in addition to the badge wear a star of smaller design than that of Knights of the Grand Cross<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Henneresse|first=Dominique|title=Ordres et Décorations du Saint-Siège|publisher=LEV Libreria Editrice Vaticana (Vatican Publishing House)|year=2019|isbn=978-88-266-0241-7|location=Città del Vaticano|pages=89–90; 104–105|language=French}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Michele D'Andrea|first=Fabio Cassani Pironti|title=Vestire gli onori|publisher=In.edit|year=2005|isbn=88-89452-00-5|location=Roma|pages=106–109|language=Italian}}</ref> on the breast.
*''Knight/Dame Commander with Star'' (KC*PO/DC*PO): who in addition to the badge wear a star of smaller design than that of Knights of the Grand Cross<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Henneresse|first=Dominique|title=Ordres et Décorations du Saint-Siège|publisher=LEV Libreria Editrice Vaticana (Vatican Publishing House)|year=2019|isbn=978-88-266-0241-7|location=Città del Vaticano|pages=89–90; 104–105|language=French}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Michele D'Andrea|first=Fabio Cassani Pironti|title=Vestire gli onori|publisher=In.edit|year=2005|isbn=88-89452-00-5|location=Roma|pages=106–109|language=Italian}}</ref> on the breast.
*''Knight / Dame Commander'' (KCPO / DCPO): who wear the decoration at the neck.
*''Knight/Dame Commander'' (KCPO/DCPO): who wear the decoration at the neck.
*''Knight / Dame'' (KPO / DPO): who wear the star on the left breast.
*''Knight/Dame'' (KPO/DPO): who wear the star on the left breast.


[[Image:Pionono12.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pope Pius IX]], re-instituted the Pian Order under his Papal name and [[pontificate]] in 1847.]]
[[Image:Pionono12.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pope Pius IX]], re-instituted the Pian Order under his Papal name and [[pontificate]] in 1847.]]
Line 71: Line 86:


==Insignia and uniform==
==Insignia and uniform==
⚫
[[File:Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX (Vatican) - Memorial JK - Brasilia - DSC00415.JPG|thumb|left|The Pian medal belonging to the 21st President of Brazil [[Juscelino Kubitschek]], unrestored and on display on his memorial]]
The decoration is a regular [[octagram]] made of blue enamel, the spaces between the rays filled with gold flames. On the white medallion in the center the name of the founder surrounded by the words ''Virtuti et Merito'' ("Virtue and Merit") is engraved. The reverse side is the same save for the substitution of ''Anno 1847'' for Pius IX. The rarely worn official uniform consists of an elaborately embroidered dark blue [[Court Uniform|evening coat]] with golden [[epaulette]]s, white [[trousers]], and a white-plumed [[bicorne]].
The decoration is a regular [[octagram]] made of blue enamel, the spaces between the rays filled with gold flames. On the white medallion in the center the name of the founder surrounded by the words ''Virtuti et Merito'' ("Virtue and Merit") is engraved. The reverse side is the same save for the substitution of ''Anno 1847'' for Pius IX. The rarely worn official uniform consists of an elaborately embroidered dark blue [[Court Uniform|evening coat]] with golden [[epaulette]]s, white [[trousers]], and a white-plumed [[bicorne]].


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=== Royal houses and nobility===
=== Royal houses and nobility===
*[[Juan Carlos I]], former King of Spain, first and [[honorary canon]] of the [[Basilica of Saint Mary Major]], with Collar
*[[Juan Carlos I]], former King of Spain, first and [[honorary canon]] of the [[Basilica of Saint Mary Major]], with Collar
*[[Fra Andrew Bertie]], 78th Prince and Grand Master of the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]], with Collar
*[[Andrew Bertie|Fra' Andrew Bertie]], 78th Prince and Grand Master of the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]], with Collar
*[[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg]], with Collar
*[[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg]], with Collar
*[[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II, King of the Belgians]], with Collar
*[[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II, King of the Belgians]], with Collar
*[[Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden|Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden]], with Collar
*[[Carl XVI Gustaf|Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden]], with Collar
*[[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein]], with Collar
*[[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein]], with Collar
*[[Haile Selassie I]], [[Emperor of Ethiopia]]
*[[Haile Selassie I]], [[Emperor of Ethiopia]]
*[[Mwambutsa IV of Burundi|Mwambutsa IV]], King of Burundi<ref>{{cite news|date=17 December 1962|title=King of Burundi Praised by Pope in Vatican Visit|page=2|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
*[[Mwambutsa IV of Burundi|Mwambutsa IV]], King of Burundi<ref>{{cite news|date=17 December 1962|title=King of Burundi Praised by Pope in Vatican Visit|page=2|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref>
*[[Gabriel García Moreno|Gabriel García Moreno y Morán de Butrón]], former [[President of Ecuador]], with Collar
*[[Bhumibol Adulyadej]], [[King of Thailand]], with Collar
*[[Gabriel García Moreno|Gabriel García Moreno y Morán de Butrón]], Duke of the Holy Faith (pontifical), former [[President of Ecuador]], with Collar
*[[Miles Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk|Miles Stapleton Fitzalan-Howard]], 17th [[Duke of Norfolk]], [[Earl Marshal]], Premier Duke of England
*[[Miles Fitzalan-Howard, 17th Duke of Norfolk]], [[Earl Marshal]], Premier Duke in the [[Peerage of England]]
*[[Herman Van Rompuy|Count Herman van Rompuy]], former Prime minister of Belgium
*[[Charles de Broqueville|Count Charles de Broqueville]], former Prime minister of Belgium.
*[[Herman Van Rompuy|Herman, Count Van Rompuy]], former prime minister of Belgium
*[[Paul de Smet de Naeyer|Count Paul de Smet de Naeyer]], former Prime minister of Belgium
*[[Charles de Broqueville|Charles de Broqueville, 1st Comte de Broqueville]], former prime minister of Belgium.
*[[Paul de Smet de Naeyer|Paul Joseph, Comte de Smet de Naeyer]], former prime minister of Belgium
*[[Charles Woeste|Count Charles Woeste]], Belgian Minister
*[[Charles Woeste|Charles, Count Woeste]], Belgian Minister
⚫
[[File:Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX (Vatican) - Memorial JK - Brasilia - DSC00415.JPG|thumb|The Pian medal belonging to the 21st President of Brazil [[Juscelino Kubitschek]], unrestored and on display on his memorial]]


=== Heads of State and Politicians===
=== Heads of State and Politicians===
[[File:Constantin_Isopescu-Grecul_1930s.jpg|thumb|[[Constantin Isopescu-Grecul]], Austrian-Hungarian/Romanian politician, jurist and legal scholar, wearing the star of the Order of Pius IX]]

* [[Emir Abdelkader]], Algerian leader insurgent against French colonial rule.<ref>Bouyerdene 2012, chapter 5</ref>
* [[Sergio Mattarella]], current [[President of Italy]]
* [[Sergio Mattarella]], current [[President of Italy]]
* [[Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa]], current [[President of Portugal]]
* [[Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa]], current [[President of Portugal]]
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* [[W.T. Cosgrave]], former [[President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State]]
* [[W.T. Cosgrave]], former [[President of the Executive Council of the Irish Free State]]
* [[Sean T. O'Kelly]], former [[President of Ireland]]
* [[Sean T. O'Kelly]], former [[President of Ireland]]
* [[Sarit Thanarat]], former [[Prime Minister of Thailand]]
* [[Nikol Pashinyan]], current [[Prime Minister of Armenia]]
* [[Ivo Miro Jović]], former member of the [[Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina]]
* [[Giorgio Borg Olivier]], former [[Prime Minister of Malta]]
* [[Constantin Isopescu-Grecul]], Romanian politician, jurist and university professor.


⚫
=== Diplomats to the Holy See===
[[File:WANG YU YUAN.jpg|thumb|[[Larry Wang]], [[Embassy of the Republic of China to the Holy See|Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Holy See]], wearing [[sash]] and [[Grand Cross|star]] of the Order of Pius IX]]
[[File:WANG YU YUAN.jpg|thumb|[[Larry Wang]], [[Embassy of the Republic of China to the Holy See|Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Holy See]], wearing [[sash]] and [[Grand Cross|star]] of the Order of Pius IX]]

⚫
=== Diplomats to the Holy See===
* [[Callista Gingrich]], former [[United States Ambassador to the Holy See]]
* [[Callista Gingrich]], former [[United States Ambassador to the Holy See]]
* [[Mercedes Arrastia Tuason]], former Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Mercedes Arrastia Tuason]], former Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[William A. Wilson (diplomat)|William A. Wilson]], former United States Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[William A. Wilson (diplomat)|William A. Wilson]], former United States Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Frank Shakespeare]], former United States Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Frank J. Shakespeare|Francis Joseph Shakespeare]], former United States Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Thomas Patrick Melady]], former United States Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Thomas Patrick Melady]], former United States Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Raymond Flynn]], former Mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, former Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Raymond Flynn]], former mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, former Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Lindy Boggs]], former Member of Congress, former Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Lindy Boggs]], former Member of Congress, former Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Khétévane Bagration de Moukhrani]], former Georgian Ambassador to the Holy See
* [[Khétévane Bagration de Moukhrani]], former Georgian Ambassador to the Holy See
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=== Other notable members===
=== Other notable members===


*[[Jean-Pierre Mazery]], Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta
* [[Jean-Pierre Mazery]], Grand Chancellor of the [[Sovereign Military Order of Malta]]
* [[Virgil C. Dechant]], former vice-president for the [[Institute for Works of Religion|Vatican Bank]] & [[Supreme Knight]] of the [[Knights of Columbus]]
* [[Virgil C. Dechant]], former vice-president for the [[Institute for Works of Religion|Vatican Bank]] & [[Supreme Knight]] of the [[Knights of Columbus]]


Latest revision as of 20:38, 5 November 2024

Order of Pope Pius IX
Ordine di Pio IX (Italian)
Knight's cross of the Order of Pius IX
Awarded by the  Holy See
TypePapal order of knighthood
Established17 June 1847; 177 years ago (1847-06-17)[1]
Religious affiliationCatholic
Motto
StatusCurrently constituted
First headPope Pius IV
SovereignPope Francis
Classes
  • Knight/Dame with the Collar (GCCPO)
  • Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCPO)
  • Knight/Dame Commander with Star (KC*PO/DC*PO)
  • Knight/Dame Commander (KCPO/DCPO)
  • Knight/Dame (KPO/DPO)
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of the Golden Spur
Next (lower)Order of St. Gregory the Great

Ribbon bar of the order

The Order of Pope Pius IX (Italian: Ordine di Pio IX), also referred as the Pian Order (Italian: Ordine Piano, pronounced [piˈaːno]), is a papal order of knighthood originally founded by Pope Pius IV in 1560. Currently, it is the highest honor conferred by the Holy See (being the Order of Christ and the Order of the Golden Spur currently dormant). The awarding of the order fell into disuse and was re-instituted by Pope Pius IX as a continuation on 17 June 1847.[1]

The highest rank awarded by the Pope is the Collar of the Order, usually to Catholic heads of state on the occasion of official visits to the Holy See. The Grand Cross is the highest Papal award given to lay men and women, ordinarily given to resident Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See after two years in post and rarely to exceptional Catholics in the wider world for particular services, mainly in the international field and for outstanding deeds for Church and society.

The rank of Knight is almost never awarded, and when it happens, it is given in recognition of high-profile services rendered to the Holy See or directly to the person of the Pontiff, by Catholic faithful of distinguished status, almost always belonging to ancient European noble families.

The other two ranks (Commander and Commander with Star) are granted sparingly to lay Catholics, usually in diplomatic roles, for extraordinary merit or deeds for the Church and society. The order is awarded to Catholics and, on occasion and only for diplomatic reasons, to non-Catholics and non-Christians as well.

History of the Order

[edit]
Pope Pius IV, founded the first Pian Order in 1560.

The Order was founded on 17 June 1847, by Pope Pius IX with the decree Romanis Pontificibus, placing it as the continuation of the ancient order established by Pope Pius IV with the bull Pii patris amplissimi on March 1559.[2] These noble knights formed the lay court of the Roman Pontiff, being defined participants, since they "participated" in the life of the Pontiff, offering him an escort and often residing in the Apostolic Palace; they often shared the table with the Pontiff and accompanied him during his daily tasks.

The subsequent decree Cum Hominum Mentes of 17 June 1849, confirmed the ancient privilege of personal nobility through membership in the Pian Order, thus creating it the only ennobler of the Holy Apostolic See. With another decree dated 11 November 1856, the Roman Pontiff himself divided the Order into three classes: Knight Grand Cross, Commander, and Knight.

Pope Pius X reformed the Pontifical orders with the decree Multum ad excitandos of 7 February 1905,[3] the new class of Commander with star (correspondent to the class of Grand Officer) was created.

The Pian Order was then reformed again by Pope Pius XII, with a Bull dated 11 November 1939, which suppressed the privilege of nobility.[4] From the historical point of view, the Knighthood of the Grand Cross of the Pian Order has held the role that was of the Militia Aurata before the reform of Gregory XVI, namely that of title of rank and ennobling of the Holy See from the sixteenth century to 1841.

Order of Classes

[edit]
1893 artistic sketch of the medal

The Order comprises five classes:[5]

  • Knight with the Collar (GCCPO): who wear a gold chain around their shoulders which is decorated with the papal tiara and two doves, and on the breast a large star. It is the highest active papal decoration, and is reserved for heads of state.
  • Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCPO):[6] who wear a wide dark blue silk ribbon (sash) bordered with red which extends saltire-wise from the left shoulder to the right side where the insignia of the order is suspended by a rosette, and on the breast a large diamond-studded star. It is commonly awarded to the ambassadors accredited to the Holy See.
  • Knight/Dame Commander with Star (KC*PO/DC*PO): who in addition to the badge wear a star of smaller design than that of Knights of the Grand Cross[2][7] on the breast.
  • Knight/Dame Commander (KCPO/DCPO): who wear the decoration at the neck.
  • Knight/Dame (KPO/DPO): who wear the star on the left breast.
Pope Pius IX, re-instituted the Pian Order under his Papal name and pontificate in 1847.
Knight/Dame
Knight/Dame Commander
Knight/Dame Commander with Star
Knight/Dame Grand Cross
Knight with the Collar

Insignia and uniform

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The Pian medal belonging to the 21st President of Brazil Juscelino Kubitschek, unrestored and on display on his memorial

The decoration is a regular octagram made of blue enamel, the spaces between the rays filled with gold flames. On the white medallion in the center the name of the founder surrounded by the words Virtuti et Merito ("Virtue and Merit") is engraved. The reverse side is the same save for the substitution of Anno 1847 for Pius IX. The rarely worn official uniform consists of an elaborately embroidered dark blue evening coat with golden epaulettes, white trousers, and a white-plumed bicorne.

Knights with the Collar wear a gold decorated chain around the neck, and a star on the left side of the breast; Knights Grand Cross wear a sash and a star on the left side of the breast; Commanders wear a cross around the neck; and Knights wear a smaller cross on the left breast of the uniform:

Notable members

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Royal houses and nobility

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Heads of State and Politicians

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Constantin Isopescu-Grecul, Austrian-Hungarian/Romanian politician, jurist and legal scholar, wearing the star of the Order of Pius IX

Diplomats to the Holy See

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Larry Wang, Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Holy See, wearing sash and star of the Order of Pius IX

Other notable members

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Rock, P.M.J. (1913). "Pontifical Decorations" . In Herbermann, Charles (ed.). Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
  2. ^ a b Henneresse, Dominique (2019). Ordres et Décorations du Saint-Siège (in French). Città del Vaticano: LEV Libreria Editrice Vaticana (Vatican Publishing House). pp. 89–90, 104–105. ISBN 978-88-266-0241-7.
  3. ^ "Acta Sanctae Sedis: ephemerides romanae a SS.mo D. N. Pio PP. X" (PDF). Vatican.va. p. 565. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  4. ^ Direzione dell'Annuario Pontificio presso la Segreteria di Stato Vaticana (1968). Annuario Pontificio (in Italian). Città del Vaticano: LEV - Libreria Editrice Vaticana. p. 1103.
  5. ^ "The Papal Order of Pius IX". The Christian Knighthood Information Center. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Order of Pius IX (Pian Order)". Association of Papal Orders in Ireland. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  7. ^ Michele D'Andrea, Fabio Cassani Pironti (2005). Vestire gli onori (in Italian). Roma: In.edit. pp. 106–109. ISBN 88-89452-00-5.
  8. ^ "King of Burundi Praised by Pope in Vatican Visit". The New York Times. 17 December 1962. p. 2.
  9. ^ Bouyerdene 2012, chapter 5
  10. ^ "President Anastasiades receives the highest honour of the Holy See". ΚΥΠΕ. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  11. ^ "Cronología de Marco Fidel Suárez | Centro de Historia de Bello". Archived from the original on 29 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
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