Pope Leo XIV praises Vatican Radio’s role in reaching remote areas, calls for peace, and supports its solar energy project as a model for global sustainability.
Newsroom, June 20, 2025, Gaudium Press – At the conclusion of his visit to the Santa Maria di Galeria Transmission Center, Pope Leo XIV sat down with Vatican correspondent Ignazio Ingrao of Italy’s Tg1 news to reflect on the enduring significance of Vatican Radio and to issue a heartfelt plea for peace in a world marred by conflict.
Emerging from the historic broadcasting facility, where he explored the technology powering over nine decades of Vatican Radio’s global outreach, the Pope underscored the station’s critical role in connecting with remote communities. “I wasn’t familiar with this center nor with the Vatican Radio antennas,” he admitted, recalling his days as a missionary in Latin America. There, a small radio allowed him to tune into Vatican Radio’s shortwave broadcasts, even in isolated mountain regions with no other communication channels. Similarly, during his travels across Africa as a leader of the Augustinian order, he relied on the station’s nightly broadcasts for “a good word” and vital news.
“I want to renew this appeal for peace,” Pope Leo XIV declared, addressing the escalating violence of global conflicts. “We must do everything possible to avoid the use of weapons.” He urged for dialogue through diplomatic channels and collective efforts to find solutions, lamenting the loss of “so many innocent people who are dying.”
Vatican Radio: A Legacy of Connection
Established in 1957 under Pope Pius XII, the Santa Maria di Galeria Transmission Center remains a cornerstone of Vatican Radio’s mission to reach the farthest corners of the world. Pope Leo XIV emphasized its continued relevance, particularly for regions lacking modern communication infrastructure. The station, he noted, has been a lifeline for communities in need of spiritual and informational support.
A Sustainable Future
The Pope also highlighted the center’s evolving role in addressing contemporary challenges, particularly climate change. Following Pope Francis’ 2024 motu proprio Fratello Sole, the site is being equipped with an agrivoltaic system to achieve energy self-sufficiency for the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV described this initiative as “a wonderful opportunity” and a powerful example of the Church’s commitment to environmental stewardship. “We are all aware of the effects of climate change,” he said, echoing Pope Francis’ teachings on caring for creation. “We must truly care for the entire world, for all of creation.”
The Holy Father’s visit and remarks reaffirm Vatican Radio’s dual mission: to broadcast hope and truth to the world while embracing sustainable practices to safeguard the planet for future generations.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
Related Images:
