Poland: Vatican Media honored for promoting peace

By Karol Darmoros - Warsaw

The Benemerenti distinction was presented to the Polish section of Vatican Radio–Vatican News and L’Osservatore Romano “for promoting the values of peace and security.” The award ceremony took place on January 21 at the Polish Army Museum in Warsaw during a gala marking the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Military Ordinariate.

The decoration was presented by the Military Ordinary of Poland, Bishop Wiesław Lechowicz, who expressed particular satisfaction at the presence of representatives of Vatican media, describing it as “a confirmation that the media serve peace and security.” He added that “the Dicastery for Communication carries the voice of the Pope and of the Church, serving Jesus, who is the King of Peace”. The bishop thanked all Vatican journalists, noting that “in today’s world, marked by many conflicts and where values such as truth, love, peace, justice, and solidarity are not always appreciated, Vatican media continue to promote and bear witness to these values.”

Communication in the service of peace

Speaking in Polish, Andrea Tornielli, Editorial Director of Vatican Media, emphasized: “Our mission is to continue bringing the voice of the Successor of Peter to every corner of the world. The Polish-language editorial team has become an example for our entire media system, and Polish remains one of the seven principal languages in which Vatican media continue to communicate, 21 years after the death of the great Saint John Paul II.”

Tornielli highlighted the long tradition of Vatican Radio, the Jesuits' contribution to its development, and the subsequent work of the team led by Father Paweł Rytel-Andrianik. He underlined that the transmission of truthful information, the building of relationships, and responsible communication are among the fundamental tasks of Catholic media. He also stressed the key role played by the Polish section in this mission, reaching a broad audience both in Poland and abroad. Over the past year alone, content produced in Polish by Vatican media recorded approximately one billion views.

Director of the Vatican Media Andrea Tornielli, together with Vice Director Massimiliano Menichetti, expressed their gratitude for the Benemerenti prize

The importance of the Polish language

Massimiliano Menichetti, Deputy Editorial Director of Vatican Media and head of Vatican Radio–Vatican News, drew attention to the special place of the Polish language in the history and present-day mission of Vatican media. “The Polish language has always held a central role within Vatican media. It preserved the faith during the dark years of totalitarianism and today, through Vatican Radio, Vatican News, and L’Osservatore Romano, it proclaims the beauty of the Gospel and interprets every news story through the lens of the Church’s social doctrine,” he said.

Menichetti added that in a world marked by violence and injustice, Vatican media offer an “horizon of hope” and, as Pope Francis has often recalled, promote “a disarmed and disarming form of communication.”

The award was received jointly by Editorial Director Andrea Tornielli, his deputy Massimiliano Menichetti, and Father Paweł Rytel-Andrianik, head of the Polish-language section. In addition, the directors of Vatican media and staff members of the Polish section were also honored with the Milito Pro Christo medals for their commitment to promoting peace.

Additional honors

This year’s Benemerenti awards from the Military Ordinary were also presented to senior generals and key institutions of the Polish Armed Forces, including the Operational Command of the Armed Forces, the Armed Forces Support Inspectorate, and the Karol Kurpiński Representative Orchestra of the Air Force.

The Military Ordinariate in Poland was established in 1919 and has played a significant role, particularly during the Second World War. During the communist period, state authorities suspended pastoral care for soldiers. Thirty-five years ago, Saint John Paul II restored the Military Ordinariate. Today, more than 130 military chaplains serve within its structures.