Pope Leo slammed for awarding Iran’s anti-Christian regime top honor — but there’s more to the story

On May 12, Pope Leo XIV awarded Iran's ambassador to the Holy See, Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari, the Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX — one of the Vatican's highest diplomatic honors. The move sparked significant backlash and outrage, especially on social media and among Iranian exiles, conservatives, and critics of Iran's regime, with widespread claims that the Vatican was legitimizing a repressive government. BlazeTV host Liz Wheeler, who describes herself as a devout Catholic, had a similar r...