 Since November 1993, it has been granted to women.The highest rank awarded by the Pope is the gold "Collar of the Order", awarded to heads of state on the occasion of official visits to the Holy See.The "Grand Cross" is the highest Papal award given to lay men and women, often given to Ambassadors accredited to the Holy See after two years in post as well as exceptional Catholics in the wider world for particular services, mainly in the international field and for outstanding deeds for Church and society.