Jim Gardner, the longtime 6abc anchor and familiar face in Philadelphia local news for more than four decades, was recognized with a special honor at the Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood last week, according to a staff report from 6abc.

The Action News anchorman was awarded the 2022 John Cardinal Foley Award for Excellence in Communication.

The award recognizes professionals who strive to build a more just world. In his many years of reporting, it is what Gardner instilled in the newsroom and those who worked alongside him.

During his acceptance speech, Gardner recalled covering two papal visits to Philadelphia and many events at the Vatican and around the globe.

He also said that Pope John Paul II’s 2000 visit to the Holy Land “to restore the historically strained relationship between Jews and Catholics” had “the greatest impact on my journalistic career.”

Gardner had considered retiring several times before but decided against it because the news was so interesting to cover, whether it was the COVID-19 pandemic or former President Donald Trump’s tenure.

In addition to Gardner, the event in Wynnewood was attended by 6abc’s General Manager Bernie Prazenica and Vice President of News, Tom Davis.

Read more about Jim Gardner and the John Cardinal Foley Award at 6abc.