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Pope Leo XIV has called for the release of caught journalists in his first speech to members of the media in the Vatican.
He expressed solidarity with journalists who were imprisoned “for searching and reporting the truth” and said that their suffering challenges “the conscience of nations and the international community”.
Freedom of the press must be defended, he said. The media must ensure that the “precious gift” of free speech is protected.
The committee to protect journalists said that 361 journalists were in prison in 2024.
Pope Leo, who was chosen on Thursday as the new leader of the Catholic Church, also emphasized the role that journalists can play to draw attention to injustice and poverty in the world.
He urged the media to concentrate on reporting the truth instead of participating in partisant divisions and not to give room to “fanaticism and hatred”.
Speaking in the Paul VI -public hall of the Vatican, he said: “The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the words war and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.”
“We don’t need any loud, powerful communication,” he said, “but rather communication that is able to listen and collect the voices of the weak that have no voice.”
The new pope also brought concern about artificial intelligence and told the assembled media that they should use AI with ‘responsibility and discernment’.
Reporters must ensure that AI can be used for the ‘benefit of all humanity’, he said.
Leo XIV mainly spoke in Italian, but opened with a quip in English about the enormous applause he received when he walked into the room.
“Thanks for this wonderful reception,” he said.
“They say that when they clap in the beginning, it doesn’t matter much. If you are still awake at the end and still want to applaud, thank you very much.”
