Pope Paul VI Peace Medallion

This is the official medal issued to commemorate the 1965 mission of peace by Pope Paul Vi to the United Nations in New York. By accepting the invitation of Secretary General U Thant to appear before a special session of the General Assembly, he was taking a step to implement the "dialogue with the world" he called for in his encyclical Ecclesiam Suam to foster "rational and civilized agreements for peaceful relations between nations."

Not only was this the first time a pope set foot on American soil, but it was also the first time in history that a pope addressed a gethering of political leaders representing the political, ideological, and spiritual families of mankind.

Obverse: Facing bust of Pope Paul VI with inscription PAUL VI MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS, NEW YORK OCTOBER 4, 1965

Reverse: The United Nations building over which is superimposed the words of St. Francis of Assisi LORD MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF THY PEACE.

Designer: Albino Manca

Metal: Solid bronze

Weight: 3.7 ounces

Diameter: 65 mm (2.55 inches)