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Fidei et Virtuti

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Cross Fidei et Virtuti
Cross of Mentana
Typeone degree medal[1]
Awarded forParticipation in the campaign against Garibaldi's volunteers in 1867[1]
Presented byVatican City The Holy See
EligibilityFrench and Papal troops[1]
StatusObsolete
EstablishedNovember 14, 1867[1]
Ribbon of the Cross Fidei et Virtuti
Precedence
Next (higher)Benemerenti medal
EquivalentMedal Pro Petri Sede

The Cross Fidei et Virtuti, also referred to as Cross of Mentana, was a decoration for military merit bestowed by the Holy See during the Italian unification.

History

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The cross was instituted by Pope Pius IX on 14 November 1867 after the victory of French-Papal troops in the Battle of Mentana.[1] It was not limited to the Battle of Mentana and given to all participants of the campaign against Garibaldi's volunteers.[1]

On 3 March 1868, the Imperial French government authorized the wearing of the medal with French uniforms.[1]

Appearance

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The silver cross consists of a cross pattée with concave ends to the arms.[2]

The cross is suspended from a white ribbon with two light blue stripes in the middle. Medal bars were attached to the ribbon to indicate the different battles that each individual cross was awarded for.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Kreuz ""Fidei et Virtuti"" [Crux ""Fidei et Virtuti""] (sogenanntes ""Mentana-Kreuz"")". www.kuenker.de (in German). Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  2. ^ "Vatican Cross of Mentana 1867". Retrieved 2019-07-08.