One day in July 1944, as the Second World War raged throughout Europe, General William “Wild Bill” Donovan was ushered into an ornate chamber in Vatican City for an audience with Pope Pius XII. Donovan bowed his head reverently as the pontiff intoned a ceremonial prayer in Latin and decorated him with the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Sylvester, the oldest and most prestigious of papal knighthoods. This award has been given to only 100 other men in history, who “by feat of arms, or writings, or outstanding deeds, have spread the Faith, and have safeguarded and championed the Church.”
The CIA and the Vatican’s Intelligence Apparatus
http://churchandstate.org.uk/2012/10/cia-and-the-vaticans-intelligence-apparatus/
"Wild Bill" Donovan was head of the OSS, which later became the CIA.