"Jesus Christ Himself loved aristocracy"

Aristocracy II: Theology of a hereditary nobility

Jesus Christ Himself loved aristocracy… He too chose to be of noble birth, of the House of David; and His Gospel shows us His family tree down to Joseph and Mary, “de qua natus est Jesus.”

Aristocracy, nobility, therefore, is a gift from God. Preserve it diligently, and use it worthily.

— Pius IX, Allocution to the Roman Patriciate and Nobility, December …