the sacristy, where it is carefully put away in a place set apart for it, until bestowed upon some worthy personage. Recipients Golden Roses have been awarded to people – men, women, and one married couple - as well as to states and churches. Until the sixteenth century Golden Roses were usually awarded to male sovereigns. From the sixteenth century onwards it became more common to award them to female sovereigns and to the wives of sovereigns. The last male to receive a Golden Rose was Francesco Loredan, Doge of Venice, in 1759. The last person to receive a Golden Rose was Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, in 1956. Among the principal churches to which the rose has been presented are St. Peter's Basilica (five roses), the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran (four roses), and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (two roses). In the twentieth century Pius X, Benedict XV, John XXIII, and John Paul I made no awards of the Golden Rose. Pius XI revived the practice which was continued by Pius XII. Paul VI (1963–1978) made five awards John Paul II (1978–2005) made ten awards Benedict XVI (2005–2013) made nineteen awards Francis has made five awards of the Golden Rose during his reign (in November 2013, July 2016, May and October 2017, June 2019) Since Paul VI, all Golden Roses have been awarded to churches; all of Benedict XVI's awards were to Marian shrines. Sources CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Golden Rose article "Golden Rose" by PMJ Rock, 1909. External links Catholic Encyclopedia article "Golden Rose" Easter liturgy