PRO ECCLESIA ET PONTIFICE. - Decoration (cross) instituted by Leo XIII by the apostolic letter Quod singulari Dei concessi of 17 July 1888 (Acta Leonis XIII, 8 [1889], p. 259), so that it might remain as a memorial of his priestly jubilee and as a sign of his benevolence toward those who had shown particular zeal in assembling and exhibiting the gifts offered to the Holy Father on that occasion.
The decoration, in gold, silver, and bronze, is in the form of a cross with four lilies interposed, giving it an octagonal shape. In the centre it bears a medal reproducing the bust of Leo XIII and the inscription LEO XIII P. M. AN. X. The arms of the cross are adorned with comets, which together with the lilies recall the coat of arms of the Pecci family. The reverse of the medal bears the tiara and the pontifical keys with the inscription P. E. ET P., while on the reverse of the arms of the cross one reads PRID(IE) KAL(ENDAS) JAN(CARIAS) 1888. This decoration is worn on the left side of the breast, suspended from a purple ribbon edged in white and yellow.
It was subsequently retained and intended to recognize acts of devotion toward the Church and the Papacy. In 1908 Pius X decided that this cross should be conferred only in gold.