Order of Pius IX

The Order of Pope Pius IX (Italian: Ordine di Pio IX), also referred as the Pian Order (Italian: Ordine Piano), is a papal order of knighthood originally founded by Pope Pius IV in 1560. The Order comprises five classes:

1. Knight with the Collar: who wear a gold chain around their shoulders which is decorated with the papal tiara and two doves, and on the breast a large badge. It is the highest active papal decoration, and is reserved for heads of state.
2. Knight / Dame Grand Cross (GCPO): who wear a wide dark blue silk ribbon (sash) bordered with red which extends saltire-wise from the left shoulder to the right side where the star of the order is suspended by a rosette, and on the breast a large diamond-studded badge. It is commonly awarded to the ambassadors accredited to the Holy See.
3. Knight / Dame Commander with Star (KC*PO / DC*PO): who in addition to the star wear a badge of smaller design than that of Knights of the Great Ribbon on the breast
4. Knight / Dame Commander (KCPO / DCPO): who wear the decoration at the neck
5. Knight / Dame (KPO / DPO): who wear the star on the left breast