Spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church. A monk of the Order of St. Benedict. Distinguished theologian. Bishop of Imola. Signed the Concordat of France in 1801 but, eight years later, excommunicated Napoleon Bonaparte. French troops invaded the Vatican and Pius was taken prisoner to France where he was held until 1814. Declared a Servant of God in 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI.
 
MS - Manuscript in the form of a large breve dated 1821, two years before the death of Pius VII.  Signed on behalf of the pope by secretary of state, Ercole Cardinal Consalvi.  Addressed to the archbishop (future cardinal) of Naples, Lambruschini.  Not your run-of-the-mill dispensation. Apparently there was some close connection between Archbishop Lambruschini and the supplicant seeking matrimonial dispensation to marry a non-Catholic English woman. Measure 19"x13.5". Other than usual folds and very light toning in excellent condition.