Pope Leo XIV Urges Journalists to Promote Peace, Calls for Press Freedom

Pope Leo XIV, in his first audience with the international media, emphasized the crucial role of journalists in promoting peace and truth amid challenging times. He called on journalists to reject aggressive, divisive communication and to consciously choose a path that fosters peace, highlighting the importance of free speech and informed public choice. The Pope expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists who risk their lives to report the truth and urged their release, underscoring the moral responsibility of the press in defending dignity and justice. He also thanked the media for their tireless work covering the recent death of Pope Francis, the conclave, and the early days of his papacy, encouraging them to move beyond stereotypes and clichés in their reporting. Pope Leo XIV referenced Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, particularly the beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers,” as a guiding principle for media communication. Additionally, he briefly addressed questions about future travels, including a planned visit to Turkey for the Council of Nicaea commemoration and a possible visit to Ukraine.