BENEMERENTI. – This is the title of the medal instituted by the Supreme Pontiffs, from Pius VII onward, for those who, by outstanding deeds, have merited a public testimony of sovereign appreciation. The b. medal is of three sizes—large, medium, and small—according to the acts that are to be rewarded.
Gregory XVI had a special medium-sized b. medal struck in 1831 to reward subjects who had remained faithful to the papal government during the disastrous events of 1831; Pius IX did the same in 1848 for those who had fought at Ferrara, Bologna, and Vicenza, and in 1849 for those soldiers who had remained faithful to him. Pius X, in 1910, created a special b. medal to be granted preferentially to military personnel. Pius XI, in 1925, instituted two special b. medals for those—institutions and private individuals—who had rendered distinguished service to the missionary exhibition and to the celebration of the Holy Year. There is also a special b. medal for the Palatine Guard of Honor of His Holiness.
The b. medal, a badge of honor, is currently granted by the Supreme Pontiff by means of a diploma from the Secretariat of State. Together with the diploma, the medal is presented to the recipient.
It is made of metal (gold, silver, and bronze): on the obverse it bears the effigy of the reigning Pontiff and the inscription recalling his name; on the reverse, a laurel wreath and the word: B.; it is suspended from a yellow ribbon with a white stripe along the lateral edges and is pinned to the chest.