# Golden Roses: 1,000 Years of Papal Power Shift

> Pope Leo XIV's golden rose gift to Lourdes marks a 1,000-year shift from political power to Marian devotion.
- Title: Golden Roses: 1,000 Years of Papal Power Shift | Shortify
- Summary: Pope Leo XIV's golden rose gift to Lourdes marks a 1,000-year shift from political power to Marian devotion. Pope Leo XIV presented a golden rose to Our Lady…
- Keywords: pope leo xiv, golden rose, lourdes, marianshrine, papal authority, medieval history, catholic church, roses, pope, vatican, religious symbolism, catholic history
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/what-1-000-years-of-golden-roses-tell-us-about-popes-authority-and-influence-from-leo-ix-to-leo-xiv-293311
- Author: Joëlle Rollo-Koster
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pope leo xiv, golden rose, lourdes, marianshrine, papal authority, medieval history, catholic church, roses, pope, vatican, religious symbolism, catholic history
## Pope John XXII's golden rose
Pope John XXII presented the oldest surviving golden rose to a 14th-century count in 2026.
## Golden rose tradition
The golden rose is the only surviving medieval papal ceremonial object with lasting purpose.
## Pope Leo XIV's Lourdes gift
On Sept. 26, 2026, Pope Leo XIV presented a golden rose to Our Lady of Lourdes during his four-day France trip.
## Medieval rose origins
The golden rose first appeared during Pope Leo IX's papacy in 1049 as a feudal pledge symbol.
## Early recipients
The first documented recipient was Fulk of Anjou in 1096 for his crusade participation.
## Laetare Sunday tradition
Pope offered roses annually on Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday of Lent, to the prefect of Rome.
## Diplomatic tool
The rose was a public acknowledgment of recipients' loyalty to the church, often warriors defending Christian lands.
## 14th century shift
During the Avignon papacy, the rose became a negotiating tool as popes resided away from Rome.
## Women as recipients
From the 16th century, roses were gifted to powerful women like Catherine de' Medici during religious conflicts.
## 19th century shift
By 1893, no man received a rose; only women and shrines were honored.
## Last human recipient
Charlotte, grand duchess of Luxembourg, received a rose in 1956 for her piety during World War II.
## Modern shift
Pope Leo XIV now presents roses to Marian shrines, ending human recipients.
## Key takeaway

Pope Leo XIV presented a golden rose to Our Lady of Lourdes, ending the tradition of gifting roses to humans and redirecting papal authority toward Marian shrines.