Miniature silver Jerusalem cross with laterally-pierced ball suspension; the face with a circular central medallion with a head and shoulders portrait of Pope Leo XIII facing left circumscribed ‘LEO XIII P.M. CREAVIT AN. MCM (Created by Leo XIII, Supreme Pontiff, 1900), each of the arms with a circular medallion depicting the Annunciation, Nativity, Baptism of Christ, and Last Supper, the lateral bars at the end of each arm inscribed ‘CHRISTI AMOR CRUCIFIXI TRAXIT NOS’ (Latin = The love of Christ crucified draws us); the reverse with a circular central medallion bearing St Mary kneeling before an angel, each of the arms with a circular medallion depicting the Agony in the Garden, Flagellation, Crowning with Thorns and Crucifixion, the lateral bars at the end of each arm inscribed ‘SIGNUM SACRI ITINERIS HIERSOLIMITANI’ (Sign of Pilgrimage to Jerusalem); age-toned; diameter 13.45mm (0.53 inch); on original ribbon with glue residue to the upper reverse. The medal was established by Pope Leo XIII on 2 May 1901 who empowered the Custodian of the Holy Land to bestow the award on pilgrims who presented a certificate of Christian life from their parish priest and a genuinely religious intention in making the journey to the Holy Land.
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