Pope calls for journalists to be released from priso

Pope Leo XIV has called for the release of imprisoned journalists in his first address to members of the media at the Vatican.

He 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”.

Press freedom must be defended, he said. The media must ensure that the “precious gift” of free speech is protected.

 

The Committee to Protect Journalists said 361 journalists were in jail in 2024.

Pope Leo, who was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on 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.”

Speaking in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall, he said, “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.”