VATICAN CITY, NOV. 17, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI was selected to receive a Polish honor recognizing his contribution in the fields of theology and culture.
The Pope expressed his gratitude for the "Laurel" academic prize during a Polish-language greeting at the end of Wednesday's general audience.
He thanked the university rectors of the athenaeums of Wroclaw, Opole, Czestochowa and Zielona Gora.
The award was granted to Benedict XVI in the context of the bicentenary of the University of Wroclaw.
Pope John Paul II was the first recipient of the prize in 2003.
