10 Euros - Benedictus XVI World Day of Peace

The World Day of Peace, observed on January 1st each year, was established by Paul VI in 1968 — making 2008 the fortieth anniversary of the observance, a fact that gave this particular issue its commemorative weight beyond simply marking Benedict's papacy. Benedict XVI had by 2008 already delivered two Peace Day messages emphasizing the human family as a framework for international relations, a theme rooted in his theological rather than diplomatic background.

Vatican commemorative silver of this period was struck at the Italian State Mint in Rome under contract.