Cindy Wooton, Catholic News Service, June 19th
Almost a year after Pope Francis set up a commission to develop a large solar-panel array on Vatican property outside of Rome, Pope Leo XIV visited the site and the Vatican Radio employees working there.
The 1,060-acre site about 11 miles northwest of Rome is home to Vatican Radio's shortwave transmitters and transmission center.
The Vatican press office said the pope visited the property at Santa Maria di Galeria June 19 along with officials from the Dicastery for Communication and the Vatican City State governor's office. Meeting the center's staff, Pope Leo asked about "the operation of the antennas, transmissions and the digital disaster recovery system," the statement said.
The day was the 43rd anniversary of his priestly ordination, which he and the staff celebrated "with light refreshments," the press office added. "Pope Leo emphasized how during his missionary work in Latin America and Africa, it was valuable to be able to receive Vatican Radio's shortwave transmissions, which reach places where few broadcasters can reach, and he reaffirmed the missionary value of communication," it said.
Additional story at:
(BDXC/Mike Barraclough)
