| Cross Fidei et Virtuti Cross of Mentana | |
| Presenter: | The Holy See |
| Type: | one degree medal[1] |
| Eligibility: | French and Papal troops |
| Awarded For: | Participation in the campaign against Garibaldi's volunteers in 1867 |
| Status: | Obsolete |
| Established: | November 14, 1867 |
| Higher: | Benemerenti medal |
| Same: | Medal 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.
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]
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]