Vatican Radio Marks 95 Years with Launch of New Jingle Inspired by Christus Vincit

Vatican Radio is celebrating its 95th anniversary with the launch of a newly composed jingle that blends its historic musical heritage with a contemporary sound. The renewed audio identity debuts on February 12, 2026, marking nearly a century since the founding of the Pope’s radio service.

The anniversary initiative centers on refreshing one of the most recognizable features of Vatican Radio’s brand, its audio logo. For decades, listeners around the world have associated the broadcaster with a distinctive musical theme rooted in the orchestration of Christus Vincit, originally arranged by Maestro Alberico Vitalini based on a composition by Czech composer Jan Kunc. That historic melody has now been reinterpreted to reflect modern sensibilities while preserving its spiritual and cultural continuity.

The new jingle project was entrusted to Maestro Marcello Filotei of the Musical Programs editorial team, under the leadership of Maestro Pierluigi Morelli. Throughout the anniversary day, the updated audio logos will accompany programming before becoming a permanent feature across regular broadcasts.

According to the Dicastery for Communication, the aim was not simply to modernize but to reinterpret tradition in a way that remains faithful to Vatican Radio’s mission. The Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini, described music as an essential part of the broadcaster’s identity. He said the renewed jingles reflect a dynamic harmony that connects memory with present experience, fostering dialogue and communion among listeners.

The project introduces four principal versions of the jingle, each aligned with different segments of the radio day. There is a version dedicated to early morning wake up programming, one for mid morning broadcasts, another for the afternoon and one for night time transmission. Two shorter audio identifiers have also been created, one built around the opening notes of the theme and the other drawing on its concluding passage to provide immediate recognition.

In addition to these contemporary adaptations, a special historical ident has been included in the programming schedule, preserving the original orchestration by Maestro Alberico Vitalini. Maestro Pierluigi Morelli also composed a separate special jingle inspired by Baroque era orchestration, evoking the historic depth of the Church’s musical tradition while fitting within the broader anniversary celebration.

The anniversary broadcast schedule integrates both the new and historical versions. Morning hours will feature the Wake Up and Morning idents, while midday and midnight slots will include the historic orchestration. Afternoon and night time programming will incorporate the newly arranged themes, creating a full day of commemorative listening.

All versions will be transmitted simultaneously on the Italian language channel and across Vatican Radio’s 30 web radio services, reinforcing the broadcaster’s global reach in the digital era.

Deputy Editorial Director Massimiliano Menichetti noted that the renewal of the jingles serves as a reminder of Vatican Radio’s enduring mission to communicate faith and foster connection. As it approaches a century of broadcasting, the institution continues to adapt its soundscape while remaining anchored in its spiritual and historical foundations.