On Aug. 1, 1849, while anchored in Gaeta, Italy, Pope Pius IX became the first Roman Catholic pope to set foot on U.S. sovereign territory when he visited USS Constitution. To this day, he remains the only pope known to have visited “Old Ironsides.” Accompanied by His Majesty King Ferdinand II, Pope Pius IX was received with full honors, including a 21-gun salute upon his arrival and departure. The visit remains one of the most notable moments in USS Constitution’s history. Fun fact: Despite the ship being at anchor, the Pope became seasick during his visit! Before departing, Pope Pius IX presented 150 sets of rosaries to be distributed among the Catholic members of Constitution’s crew. One of those rosaries is preserved today in the collections of the Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston, serving as a lasting reminder of this historic occasion. #OldIronsides #America250 #USSConstitution #USNavyHistory #AmericasShipofState