President Barzani Joins List of Kings and Leaders Awarded the “Order of Pope Pius IX”
ARK News.. The Holy See has awarded Kurdistan Democratic Party President Masoud Barzani the Order of Pope Pius IX for 2026, one of the Vatican’s highest official honors for heads of state and prominent world leaders, in recognition of his efforts to promote religious coexistence, provide refuge for displaced people, and strengthen stability in the region.
The Order of Pope Pius IX, also known as the Pian Order, is among the Vatican’s oldest and highest-ranking diplomatic honors. It was established by Pope Pius IX on June 17, 1847, and is awarded to prominent leaders and figures in recognition of distinguished service and contributions to humanity and international relations.
The order has three principal ranks: the Knight Grand Cross with Collar, reserved primarily for heads of state and monarchs; the Knight Grand Cross, generally awarded to senior diplomats and prominent figures; and the Commander and Knight ranks, granted to individuals who have rendered distinguished and notable service.
The Vatican also confers other prestigious orders, including the Order of St. Gregory the Great, recognizing outstanding service, and the Order of St. Sylvester, awarded to civilians for distinguished contributions, particularly in scientific and humanitarian fields.
The criteria for receiving the Order of Pope Pius IX are considered highly selective, with the honor traditionally bestowed on national leaders who have played influential roles in promoting stability, protecting religious and ethnic minorities, fostering coexistence, or strengthening relations with the Holy See.
Over the years, the order has been awarded to a limited number of monarchs and world leaders, including King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, former Spanish King Juan Carlos I, former Belgian King Albert II and Queen Paola, former Danish Queen Margrethe II, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Cameroonian President Paul Biya, former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, former Belgian Prime Minister Herman Van Rompuy, and former Ecuadorian President Gabriel García Moreno.
In 2026, President Masoud Barzani joined this list of distinguished recipients.
The conferral of the papal order on Barzani carries significant political, diplomatic and humanitarian symbolism, reflecting the Vatican’s recognition of his role in promoting coexistence and stability and highlighting the Kurdistan Region as an example of peaceful coexistence among different ethnic and religious communities in the Middle East.
The honor also reflects the Vatican’s appreciation of Barzani’s humanitarian efforts, particularly his role in protecting and sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced people and refugees, including Christians and other communities, during periods of conflict and amid attacks by terrorist organizations.
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