Pope Leo XIV has urged the release of jailed journalists in his first speech to media members at the Vatican.
He identified with journalists who were imprisoned “for seeking and reporting the truth” and affirmed that their plight “challenges the conscience of nations and the international community”.
Press freedom has to be defended, he stated. The media have to secure that the “precious gift” of free speech is safeguarded.
Global Concern Over Press Freedom
The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 361 journalists were behind bars in 2024.
These figures highlight a troubling global trend in the suppression of free press, particularly in conflict zones and authoritarian states. Many of those imprisoned face harsh sentences for exposing government wrongdoing, war crimes, or human rights abuses. Statement of the Pope is being seen as a direct appeal to world leaders to uphold democratic principles.
Pope Emphasizes Media’s Role in Justice and Peace
Pope Leo, who was elected on Thursday as the new head of the Catholic Church, also called attention to the role journalists could play. He highlighted how they help make people aware of injustice. And how they bring attention to poverty around the globe.
He challenged the media to concentrate on delivering the truth. He urged them not to engage in partisan bickering And not to provide room for “fanaticism and hatred.”
This message aligns with Pope Leo’s broader vision of unity, compassion, and social responsibility, which he has emphasized since the beginning of his papacy. He has called on all institutions religious or secular to prioritize peace-building and inclusivity.
Caution on AI and the Need for Thoughtful Communication
Speaking in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall, he declared “the manner in which we communicate is of primary importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.”
“We do not need loud, forceful communication,” he said, “but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.”
The new pope also raised concerns about artificial intelligence. He told the assembled media they should use AI with “responsibility and discernment.”
Reporters should ensure that AI can be used for the “benefit of all of humanity,” he said.
