Pope Leo XIV grants highest Vatican order to Iran's ambassador

The Vatican announced that its highest diplomatic honor, the Order of Pius IX, was awarded to Dr. Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See. The award, presented by a senior official of the Secretariat of State rather than by Pope Leo XIV himself, is traditionally given to diplomats after two to three years of service to recognise efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and promote peace. The Vatican’s public communication of the honor was delayed, with the first official notice appearing on Vatican News weeks after the ceremony.

The gesture comes amid ongoing criticism of Iran’s security forces for the brutal suppression of protests earlier in the year, which resulted in thousands of deaths. While the Pope has condemned the use of force when questioned, his comments have been described as vague.

In a separate cultural note, Pope Leo XIV’s personal tailor, Raniero Mancinelli, discussed the significance of creating the pontiff’s garments, describing the work as “the greatest” of his career. The interview highlights the Pope’s increasing influence on contemporary fashion within the Catholic hierarchy.