A card attached to this large rosary belonging to Pope Benedict XV states that it was believed to be used by the pope and was then presented to nuns in 1944. The card is old enough to be convinced of its authenticity.

Popes are presented with thousands of gifts during their pontificates, often during papal audiences or general audiences. Unable to keep them unless they are of historical or religious importance they are often given to the poor or, in this case, to a religious order.