On Thursday, June 19th, the anniversary of his priestly ordination, Pope Leo XIV traveled to the Vatican Radio shortwave transmission center in the town of Santa Maria di Galeria in the Lazio region, in Rome, Italy. He thanked the employees for the work carried out “with fidelity and continuity, even on a feast day” and for a service that reaches places “where few broadcasters are able to go.”
Working Transcript in English of the pope's words:
This was a nice opportunity to get out of the city a bit and today is a celebration in the Vatican for the solemnity of Corpus Christi which we will then celebrate on Sunday at San Giovanni Laterano, then at Santa Maria Maggiore for the procession. I did not know this center of antennas of the good Vatican that there was a presence already from the time of Pope Pius XII and that then with Pope Francis already Let's say the Vatican began a project has begun that we hope everything goes well, it will truly be a contribution ecologically speaking and also for the good of the entire area of Italy of the Vatican for the question of a photovoltaic project. Interviewer:Will it be the first state in the world entirely with sustainable energy? this is certainly what in the project we need to finish agreements with the State but truly a beautiful opportunity and I think that this commitment of part of the church also offers the world an example that is very important that we all know the effects of climate change and we really need to take care of the whole world of everything. I created it as Pope Francis taught with so much clarity. Interviewer: is it true that when you were a missionary you listened to Vatican Radio on short waves? Oh, sure, yes, yes, yes that both in Latin America many times even in the mountains where there is no other possibility at night and times Vatican always arrived brought a small radio that had the possibility, but also in the trips later with the regeneration of the Augustinians in Africa different countries at night I always found the news a beautiful word is for this very important service of Vatican time.
Interviewer: Can I ask you a final thought on the international crisis situation It is truly worrying day in night I try to follow a bit of what is happening in many parts of the world we are talking especially about the Middle East. Today however it is not only about it is truly as I said yesterday in the audience I would like to renew this appeal for peace to try at all costs to avoid the use of weapons and to seek through diplomatic instruments, let's say, dialogue, let's get together and look for solutions...there are so many innocents who have died...we must promote peace...
Pope Leo XIV visited Santa Maria di Galeria, in the extraterritorial zone (Vatican territory whose status is governed by the Lateran Treaties with Italy) where the shortwave transmission center of Vatican Radio, part of the Dicastery for Communication, is located. He also celebrated with the staff over a small reception marking his 43rd anniversary of priestly ordination, today.
The Holy See Press Office informed journalists of the excursion with a post on Telegram, revealing that the Holy Father met with the staff of the center, conversed with them, visited the transmitter hall designed by architect Pier Luigi Nervi, and sat in the control room for shortwave transmissions.
The Radio Center was inaugurated by Pope Pius XII in 1957, and the last time a Pope visited the Center and the area of Santa Maria di Galeria, was when Pope St. John Paul II did so in 1991.
The Press Office note stated, the pope inquired about the operation of the antennas, broadcasts, and the digital disaster recovery system.
Pope Leo, the statement noted, suggested that during his missionary work in Latin America and Africa, it was invaluable to be able to receive Vatican Radio’s shortwave transmissions, which reach places where few broadcasters can, and reaffirmed the missionary value of communication.
The Holy Father imparted his Apostolic Blessing upon all those present, Pope Leo XIV expressed thanks for the work carried out “with fidelity and continuity, even on a feast day like today,” the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
Also, the statement noted that the Pope also had the opportunity to examine the extraterritorial zone, whose status dates back to agreements with the Italian government in 1951. For this area, and based on the motu proprio 'Fratello Sole,' a project is under consideration to install an agrivoltaic system, which would provide not only electrical power to the radio station, but also complete energy self-sufficiency for the Vatican City State.
The Holy See Press Office informed journalists of the excursion with a post on Telegram, revealing that the Holy Father met with the staff of the center, conversed with them, visited the transmitter hall designed by architect Pier Luigi Nervi, and sat in the control room for shortwave transmissions.
The Radio Center was inaugurated by Pope Pius XII in 1957, and the last time a Pope visited the Center and the area of Santa Maria di Galeria, was when Pope St. John Paul II did so in 1991.
The Press Office note stated, the pope inquired about the operation of the antennas, broadcasts, and the digital disaster recovery system.
Pope Leo, the statement noted, suggested that during his missionary work in Latin America and Africa, it was invaluable to be able to receive Vatican Radio’s shortwave transmissions, which reach places where few broadcasters can, and reaffirmed the missionary value of communication.
The Holy Father imparted his Apostolic Blessing upon all those present, Pope Leo XIV expressed thanks for the work carried out “with fidelity and continuity, even on a feast day like today,” the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
Also, the statement noted that the Pope also had the opportunity to examine the extraterritorial zone, whose status dates back to agreements with the Italian government in 1951. For this area, and based on the motu proprio 'Fratello Sole,' a project is under consideration to install an agrivoltaic system, which would provide not only electrical power to the radio station, but also complete energy self-sufficiency for the Vatican City State.
Source: Vatican News
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