The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See has publicly rejected online claims that the Vatican granted Iran a unique or politically motivated diplomatic award, calling the allegation inaccurate and misleading.<\/p>\n
\u201cContrary to news reports, Pope Leo has not bestowed an exclusive special honor on the Iranian ambassador to the Holy See,\u201d the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See said in a May 13 social media post. \u201cThis decoration is given to all accredited ambassadors to the Holy See after 2+ years of service and has been standard practice for many years.\u201d<\/p>\n
The post comes after Iranian state media outlets reported<\/a> that the Vatican honored Iran\u2019s ambassador, Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, with an award for \u201cstrengthening diplomatic ties and serving the cause of peace and dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n The Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported<\/a> that Pope Leo XIV awarded the \u201cVatican\u2019s highest diplomatic honor to Iran\u2019s ambassador\u201d for his \u201cefforts to promote peace, dialogue, and bilateral relations.\u201d<\/p>\n The report further claimed<\/a> that \u201cofficials praised the Iranian embassy\u2019s activities in advancing peaceful coexistence, wisdom, tolerance, and interfaith dialogue,\u201d and that in the official decree, Leo \u201cexpressed appreciation for Ambassador Mokhtari\u2019s services in strengthening ties with the Holy See.” The Holy See has had diplomatic relations with Iran since<\/a> May 1953.<\/p>\n The U.S. Embassy explained that the award given to Mokhtari \u201cis a personal recognition and does not imply support or opposition to any policy or country.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThirteen ambassadors were recently given this recognition. Previous U.S. ambassadors have all received the same,\u201d the post noted. \u201cFinally, the decoration was not given in person by the pope.\u201d<\/p>\n