Vatican gave Iranian ambassador diplomatic honor, but Pope Leo XIV didn't personally bestow it
The Vatican said the Grand Cross is routinely given to ambassadors after about two years of service and was not presented personally by Pope Leo XIV.
- On May 12, 2026, Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari received the Order of Pius, though the Vatican confirmed Pope Leo XIV did not personally bestow the honor or attend the ceremony.
- State-Controlled IRNA News Agency circulated images appearing to show Mokhtari and Pope Leo XIV shaking hands, but experts identified these as AI-generated, featuring poorly rendered hands and incorrect historical context.
- Archbishop Paolo Rudelli conferred the award on behalf of the Vatican, which recognized 13 ambassadors for their years of diplomatic service to the Holy See government.
- Marziyeh Amirizadeh, a Christian convert who fled imprisonment in Iran, criticized the Vatican, calling the honor an insult to Iranians persecuted by the regime.
- The Order of Pius is a standard diplomatic distinction for officials completing at least two years of service, rather than a personal endorsement by the pope of any specific government.
25 Articles
25 Articles
In Mind-Boggling Move, Pope Leo Awards Top Iranian Regime Official With the Vatican’s Highest Diplomatic Honor
In this Harbinger’s Daily article, Erick Stakelbeck sharply criticizes Pope Leo for awarding a high Vatican diplomatic honor to Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See. Pope Leo reportedly awarded the Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of Pius IX to Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See. Stakelbeck argues the move shows a...
Iran convert formerly sentenced to death tells ‘Post’ Pope brought ‘shame’ by honoring envoy
Amirizadeh's comments to the 'Post' came after Pope Leo bestowed a special honor on the Iranian ambassador to the Holy See, along with several other diplomats, for their years-long service.
Pope Leo Honors the Enemy Who Slaughtered 40,000 Protesters
According to Christopher Hale, Pope Leo XIV has named Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Iran’s ambassador to the Vatican, a Knight of the Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of Pius IX, according to a certificate dated May 8 and signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope’s secretary of state. The honor raises the Iranian envoy to one of the most senior classes of the highest active papal order, founded in 1847 by Pope Pius IX and conferred today on se…
Geller Report
Dr. Rich SwierVatican’s Bloody Bargains: From Hitler’s Reich to Iran’s Mullahs
Background: Pope Leo gives top honor to Iran’s Ambassador and Iranian state media is making the most of it. Christopher Hale: Pope Leo XIV has named Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Iran’s ambassador to the Vatican, a Knight of the Grand Cross of the Pontifical Order of Pius IX, according to a certificate dated May 8 and signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the pope’s Secretary of State. The honor raises the Iranian envoy to one of the most senior class…
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