The Benemerenti medal was first awarded by Pope Pius VI (1775–1799) to recognize military merit. In 1831 under Pope Gregory XVI (1831–1846)a special Benemerenti medal was struck to reward those who fought courageously in the papal army at Ferrara, Bologna, and Vienna. In 1925, the concept of awarding this medal as a mark of recognition to persons in service of the Church, both civil and military, lay and clergy alike, became acceptable.