Vatican awards Ordine Piano medal to representative of government that imprisons Christians
The Vatican's award of the "Ordine Piano" to Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, the Islamic Republic's ambassador to the Vatican, has sparked a wave of questions and criticism, especially at a time when dozens of Iranian Christians are in prison for their religious beliefs and activities, and the Islamic Republic has a long history of suppressing Christians, closing churches, and pressuring other religious minorities.
The Vatican has found itself at the center of a new controversy by awarding one of its highest diplomatic decorations to Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See, in a move that many see as contradicting the harsh reality of religious freedom in Iran. The ceremony was first reported in Iranian state media and then received international coverage.
According to published reports, Pope Leo XIV awarded Mokhtari the Order of Pope Pius IX or the Order of Piano; a title that has been given by the Vatican since 1847 to diplomats and figures who, according to the Vatican, have played a role in "strengthening diplomatic relations, peace, and dialogue."
The text of the letter of appreciation published by media outlets close to the Islamic Republic states: "We have decided to officially express our gratitude and appreciation. Therefore, we select and award Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Holy See, to receive the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Piani."
The decision comes as human rights groups and Christian organizations have repeatedly warned about the situation of Christians in Iran. According to reports published by religious freedom groups, dozens of Christians and other converts have been arrested and imprisoned simply for holding home worship services or engaging in peaceful religious activities. In recent years, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly closed Persian-language churches and pressured these citizens with charges such as “acting against national security.”
The awarding of the medal also appears to contradict previous positions of Pope Leo XIV, who in recent months has expressed concern about war and violence in the region and, according to some reports, even condemned the bloody crackdown on protesters in Iran.
Meanwhile, media outlets close to the Iranian government have attempted to portray the Vatican's move as a sign of approval of the Islamic Republic's policies. Some reports have even claimed that the recognition was due to "the Iranian embassy's efforts to promote a message of peace and justice," a claim that many Iranian human rights activists and Christians find completely at odds with the realities on the ground.
Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, who has been serving as the Islamic Republic's ambassador to the Vatican since 2023, has previously held positions in the Islamic Republic's ideological institutions, including the Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute and the University of Islamic Studies.
Critics say that bestowing such a title on a representative of a government with a long history of suppressing religious minorities, arresting priests and pressuring Christian converts could send a message that the suffering of Iranian Christians is not a priority for Vatican diplomacy. For many Iranian Christians, the question remains how a government that closes churches and calls the Christian faith a security threat is now being honored by the highest authority in the Catholic Church.
