The History of Papal Knighthoods
PONTIFICIAL ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD OF THE HOLY SEE
The Papal Equestrian Orders as represented in Great Britain today are not as many believe the direct descendants of mediaeval Orders of Chivalry but are, in their present form, of comparatively recent origin. They nevertheless represent one of the highest and most prestigious distinctions which the Pope, as Supreme Pontiff and Head of the Roman Catholic Church and as Sovereign of the Vatican City State, can bestow on an individual. Such awards are made to lay individuals of the Roman Catholic faith as well as to those of other Christian denominations and of other faiths in recognition of their pre-eminent service offered to their faith, community, or the work of the Holy See on a local, national and international level.
Currently, the Pontifical Orders of Knighthood of the Holy See are as follows:
- The Supreme Order of Christ
- The Pontifical Order of the Golden Spur
- The Pontifical Order of Pius IX
- The Pontifical Order of Saint Gregory the Great
- The Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester
Admission to the Supreme Order of Christ, the Pontifical Order of the Golden Spur and the Collar of the Pontifical Order of Pius IX are reserved solely for reigning Sovereigns and Heads of State. They are very rarely bestowed and only then during significant state and official visits made to the Vatican City by foreign dignitaries or during a state, official or pastoral visit made by the Supreme Pontiff to foreign country.
The Supreme Order of Christ can only be bestowed on Heads of State professing the Roman Catholic faith. The last award of the Supreme Order of Christ was made by His late Holiness Pope John Paul II in 1987 to HMEH Frà Angelo de Mojana, 77th Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. With his death one year later, and the subsequent death of fellow recipient, HM King Baudouin of the Belgians in 1993, there are no living holders of the Order of Christ today.
The Pontifical Order of the Golden Spur which included HIM The Shah of Iran and the recently deceased HSH Prince Rainier III of Monaco among its members, has also not been bestowed for a number of years. HRH Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg is among those living recipients of this award.
   The Pontifical Order of Pius IX is the most senior active Pontifical Order in use today. Its highest grades in general terms are reserved for Sovereigns and Heads of State, its middle ranks to those such as senior diplomats accredited to the Holy See. Living recipients of the higher ranks include HE The President of the Italian Republic , HM King Juan Carlos I of Spain and HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark. In Britain the late Lord Hunt of Tanworthand the late Miles, Duke of Norfolk were known to be the only living receipant of this award.
Although the Pontifical Orders of Knighthood were founded for, and remained the prerogative of gentlemen, in November 1993, the Papal Secretariat of State issued instructions, that the Orders of Pius IX, Saint Gregory the Great and of Pope Saint Sylvester were now open to ladies, with three ranks: Dame, Dame Commander and Dame Grand Cross. |
