POPE LEO XIV SPEAKS ON PRESS FREEDOM    

Pope Leo XIV has called for the release of imprisoned journalists in his first address to members of the media at the Vatican. The Pope expressed solidarity with journalists who were jailed for seeking and reporting the truth and said their suffering challenges the conscience of nations and the international community.

Pope Leo XIV said press freedom must be defended and the media must ensure that the “precious gift” of free speech is protected. According to Reporters without Borders, 550 journalists were detained as of December 1, 2024. The Pontiff, who was elected last  Thursday, also highlighted the role journalists can play in bringing attention to injustice and poverty in the world. He urged the media to focus on reporting the truth instead of taking part in partisan divisions, and not to give space to fanaticism and hatred.

The Pope, in his address, reiterated the way we communicate is of fundamental importance, saying “we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war”. The new pope also raised concerns about artificial intelligence, telling the media they should use AI with responsibility and discernment for the benefit of all of humanity. He ended his statement calling for journalists to choose the path of communication in favour of peace and shook hands with some of the attendees. He did not take questions, as is normally the case in papal press conferences. Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor, the late Pope Francis, also declined to take questions in his first press conference in 2013.