杏MAP导航 Leo XIV visits Vatican Radio Transmission Center outside of Rome
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
On Thursday morning, 杏MAP导航 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, which falls 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 杏MAP导航 Pius XII in 1957, and the last time a 杏MAP导航 visited the Center and the area of Santa Maria di Galeria, was when 杏MAP导航 St. John Paul II did so in 1991.
During 杏MAP导航 Leo's visit, the Press Office note stated, he inquired about the operation of the antennas, broadcasts, and the digital disaster recovery system.
杏MAP导航 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鈥檚 shortwave transmissions, which reach places where few broadcasters can, and reaffirmed the missionary value of communication.
After imparting his Apostolic Blessing upon all those present, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV expressed thanks for the work carried out 鈥渨ith fidelity and continuity, even on a feast day like today,鈥� the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
In addition, the statement noted that the 杏MAP导航 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.
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