Vatican Awards ‘Ordine Piano’ Medal to Government Representative Who Imprisons Christians

The Vatican’s award of the prestigious “Ordine Piano” medal to “Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari,” the Islamic Republic’s ambassador to the Vatican, has sparked a wave of questions and criticism; particularly given that dozens of Iranian Christians are imprisoned for their faith and religious activities, while the Islamic Republic has a long history of suppressing Christians, closing churches, and pressuring other religious minorities.

By awarding one of its highest diplomatic medals to Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See, the Vatican has found itself at the center of a new controversy; an action that many view as contradictory to the harsh reality of religious freedom conditions in Iran. Reports of the ceremony were first published by Iranian government media outlets and subsequently gained international attention.

According to published reports, Pope Leo XIV granted the “Papal Pius IX” or “Ordine Piano” medal to Mokhtari; a medal that has been awarded 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.”

In the text of a citation released by media outlets close to the Islamic Republic, it states: “We have decided to formally express our appreciation and gratitude. For this reason, we appoint and award Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Holy See, to receive the rank of knight of the grand cross of the Piano medal.”

This decision was made amid circumstances in which human rights organizations and Christian groups have repeatedly warned about the situation of Christians in Iran. According to reports released by religious freedom advocacy groups, dozens of Christians and other converted Christians have been arrested and imprisoned solely for holding home worship meetings or engaging in peaceful religious activities. In recent years, the Islamic Republic government has repeatedly shut down Farsi-speaking churches and pressured these citizens with accusations such as “actions against national security.”

The award of this medal is also seen as contradicting Pope Leo XIV’s previous positions. In recent months, he has expressed concern about war and violence in the region and, according to some reports, had even condemned the bloody suppression of protesters in Iran.

Meanwhile, media outlets close to the Iranian government have attempted to present this Vatican action as a sign of approval for the Islamic Republic’s policies. Some reports have even claimed that this honor was granted due to “efforts by Iran’s embassy to promote messages of peace and justice”; a claim that stands in complete contradiction to the ground realities for many human rights activists and Iranian Christians.

Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, who has served as the Islamic Republic’s ambassador to the Vatican since 2023, previously held positions in ideological institutions of the Islamic Republic, including the Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute and the University of Islamic Denominations.

Critics argue that awarding such a medal to a government representative with a long history of suppressing religious minorities, detaining priests, and pressuring converted Christians could convey the message that the suffering of Iranian Christians is not a priority in Vatican diplomacy. For many Iranian Christians, the question remains: how can a government that closes churches and describes Christian faith as a security threat now be honored by the highest authority of the Catholic Church?