In his first speech to media representatives at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV has urged for the freedom of journalists who are imprisoned. He stated the suffering of journalists who were imprisoned “for seeking and reporting the truth” “challenges the conscience of nations and the international community” and he expressed solidarity with them.
He stated that press freedom must be protected. The “precious gift” of free expression must be safeguarded by the media.
361 journalists were imprisoned in 2024, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. The importance that journalists may play in drawing attention to global poverty and injustice was also emphasized by Pope Leo, who was elected as the next head of the Catholic Church on Thursday.
Instead of participating in partisan disputes, he asked the media to convey the facts and avoid creating an environment that encourages “fanaticism and hatred.”
Speaking at the Paul VI audience hall in the Vatican, he stated that “the way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war,” reports BBC. “We do not need loud, forceful communication,” he stated, “but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.”
Pope Leo: “Let me, therefore, reiterate today the church’s solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking and reporting the truth. The precious gift of free speech and of the press must be safeguarded.” pic.twitter.com/6NbhMI97JO
— Rich Raho (@RichRaho) May 12, 2025
The assembled media was also told by the new pope to use artificial intelligence (AI) with “responsibility and discernment.” On the “benefit of all of humanity,” he said, reporters should make sure AI can be employed.
Pope Leo XIV began his speech, which was primarily in Italian, with a joke in English about the thunderous acclaim he had received upon entering the room. “Thank you for this wonderful reception,” he said. “They say that when they clap at the beginning, it doesn’t matter much. If you’re still awake at the end and still want to applaud, thank you very much.”
In comments to media today, Pope Leo reiterated “the Church’s solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking to report the truth”
“Only informed individuals can make free choices.” pic.twitter.com/vCiLVAx81j
— Kate Scanlon (@kgscanlon) May 12, 2025
In February, the newly appointed pope shared a link to an essay in America magazine that questioned JD Vance‘s assertion that family comes first. “JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn’t ask us to rank our love for others,” Prevost posted, quoting the headline.
In addition to being a first for the American Catholic community, Pope Leo XIV’s election also brings with it a pontiff whose online persona provides a window into his opinions on some of the most divisive topics of the day. Many will be watching his next moves to see how his prior messages and activism will influence his papacy.
Here are some glimpses of Pope Leo:
