10 euro - Benedict XV

The extraordinary issue of the 10 euro silver coin this year by the Vatican Mint is dedicated to Benedict XVI. Our artist Daniela Longo features on the reverse of the coin the fraternal embrace between Francis and Benedict XVI. The Holy Spirit looks over them, observing and protecting the two protagonists of God’s plan. Pope Francis has always shown deep respect for his predecessor. “We are brothers” he told Benedict on 23 March 2013 in Castel Gandolfo, the first time they prayed together marking the start of a tradition of meeting often on religious feasts and during public events.In the preface to the volume “God is always new” of Benedict XVI, signed by Pope Francis we can read “Let us thank God for having given us Pope Benedict XVI: with his word and his testimony he taught us that through reflection, thought, study, listening, dialogue and above all prayer, it is possible to serve the Church and do good for all of humanity”. Pope Benedict XVI died on 31 December 2022 in the Monastery Mater Ecclesiae and is buried in the crypt of Saint Peter’s Basilica.