Lazio: On the 43rd anniversary of his priestly ordination, Pope Leo XIV made a special visit on Thursday to the Vatican Radio shortwave transmission center in Santa Maria di Galeria an extraterritorial zone administered by the Holy See under the Lateran Treaty agreements with Italy. This site, rarely visited by pontiffs, plays a vital role in global Catholic communication, broadcasting the Pope’s message to even the remotest corners of the world.
In a warm and informal gathering with the staff of the Dicastery for Communication, Pope Leo expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering dedication, especially as the visit coincided with the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. “Your faithful service, even on feast days, makes possible a mission that reaches places few other signals can touch,” the Pope remarked.
The transmission facility, inaugurated by Pope Pius XII in 1957, had last been visited by a pontiff when St. John Paul II came in 1991. During his time at the site, Pope Leo toured the transmitter hall, a unique structure designed by the renowned architect Pier Luigi Nervi, and also visited the shortwave control room.
Engaging closely with the technicians and engineers, the Pope inquired about the operation of the broadcasting antennas, disaster recovery systems, and the digital infrastructure behind the station’s robust global outreach. He reflected on his own missionary years in Africa and Latin America, recalling how Vatican Radio’s shortwave broadcasts served as a critical link to the Church when other media were inaccessible.
“This is more than a radio station it is a lifeline of faith,” he said, praising its enduring relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
The Pope also took the opportunity to survey the broader exterritorial property, which dates back to a 1951 agreement with the Italian government. According to a note from the Holy See Press Office, discussions are underway to implement a sustainable agrivoltaic system on the site. This project born from the motu proprio Fratello Sole aims to generate renewable energy for the radio facility and contribute to the Vatican’s goal of energy self-sufficiency.
Before concluding his visit, Pope Leo XIV offered his Apostolic Blessing to the staff and their families and left them with a message of encouragement: “Continue to be the voice of the Gospel where few voices reach. The world still needs to hear hope.”
This rare papal visit not only celebrated a personal milestone but underscored the ongoing mission of Vatican Radio as a spiritual beacon in even the most unreachable regions of the globe.