France - Pope Leo XIV - Official Medal of the Apostolic...

Up for auction is a rare and refined contemporary papal medal dedicated to the Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to France, which took place from September 25 to 28, 2026. Made in a few copyies and not intended for the normal commercial circuit, the medal is rarely available on the collecting market and represents a object of particular interest for enthusiasts of papal medallic art and Vatican memorabilia. The medal presents the following characteristics. Obverse In the center towers the papal coat of arms of Pope Leo XIV, an identifying element of the Pontificate and the focal point of the composition. Reverse The reverse commemorates the Pope’s Apostolic Journey to France through an iconographic composition with strong symbolic value. Depicted are the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Lourdes Madonna, two images particularly representative of the religious history, spirituality, and Marian tradition of France. At the top the Latin inscription appears: FRANCOGALLIAM VISIT accompanied by the journey date, also inscribed according to Latin epigraphic tradition. Casing The medal is offered complete with its elegant official Vatican case, an element that enhances its collectible value and preserves its original presentation. Issuance The piece was issued by the Secretariat of State of the Holy See on the occasion of Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to France, from September 25 to 28, 2026. Artist: A. Cicconi Metal: gilded bronze Diameter: 50 mm Notes for the collector Medals minted for Apostolic Journeys constitute a distinctive and sought-after expression of contemporary papal medallic art. This specimen stands out for its limited availability: produced in few copies, it is not normally present through ordinary commercial channels and is rarely found on private collecting markets. The joint presence of Notre-Dame and the Lourdes Madonna, together with the direct reference to Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Journey to France, gives the medal particular historical, religious, and collectible interest. A piece of notable charm for a collection dedicated to the Pontificate of Leo XIV and to the medallic art of Apostolic Journeys. Provenance The medal is not sold on behalf of the Holy See, the Vatican City State, or any other ecclesiastical body, but comes from a private collection.

Estimate:£125.13

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