PAPAL STATE Pius IX 10 Soldi 1869 XXIII Extra Fine

Pope Pius IX (Latin: Pius PP. IX, born Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti; Senigallia, 13 May 1792 – Rome, 7 February 1878) was the 255th bishop of Rome and pope of the Catholic Church and 163rd and last sovereign of the Papal States (1846-1870). His pontificate, of 31 years, 7 months and 23 days, remains the longest in the history of the Catholic Church after that of Saint Peter. He was a Franciscan tertiary and was proclaimed blessed in 2000.