Mary Rice Hasson, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), will be awarded the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice by Pope Leo XIV. The honor recognizes distinguished service to the Catholic Church.
Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, is scheduled to confer the Cross on Hasson and other honorees during a private ceremony next month. The diocese acknowledged the awards as part of its 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee, stating it “rejoices that our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV has bestowed Papal Honors,” as it concludes its jubilee celebration.
EPPC President Ryan T. Anderson commented, “Mary Hasson is a gift to the Catholic Church in the United States. This is a well-deserved award, and we are proud to count her as a colleague.”
Hasson expressed her appreciation for the recognition: “I’m truly humbled and grateful to receive this honor from Pope Leo XIV, who reminds us that faith lies at the heart of our mission. I’m blessed to be nurtured in faith by my family, pastors, and bishop, and to be supported in my mission – witnessing to the truth of the human person – by tremendous colleagues here at EPPC. It’s an honor to serve the Church.”
As the Kate O’Beirne Senior Fellow at EPPC, Hasson co-founded and directs the Person and Identity Project. This initiative works with parents and faith-based organizations to promote views about human identity and address gender ideology.
The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII for those who contributed significantly during his golden jubilee as a priest. The award became permanent in 1898.
For media inquiries regarding this announcement, contact Hunter Estes, Director of Communications at EPPC.
