Pope Leo XIV has made a passionate appeal for the release of journalists imprisoned for “seeking and reporting the truth,” highlighting their role in defending justice and free expression.
Speaking on Monday, May 12, during his first official address to the media since his election by the College of Cardinals, the newly elected pontiff — formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost — emphasized the vital role of ethical journalism in promoting peace.
“Peace begins with each one of us — in the way we look at others, listen to others, and speak about others,” the Pope told journalists gathered in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall. “We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images. We must reject the paradigm of war.”
He expressed solidarity with media professionals who risk their lives to report from conflict zones and hold power to account, describing their work as essential to democracy and human dignity.
“The Church stands with journalists imprisoned for reporting the truth and calls for their release,” he said. “Their suffering is a challenge to the conscience of nations and the international community.”
Citing data from Reporters Without Borders, Pope Leo noted that 550 journalists were detained globally as of December 2024, a figure that underscores the growing threat to press freedom.
He also reminded the media of their moral responsibility to avoid fueling division and hatred through inflammatory language. “Let us disarm communication of prejudice, resentment, and fanaticism,” he urged. “We need not loud or aggressive voices, but those that listen and amplify the unheard.”
To those reporting from the front lines of conflict, poverty, and injustice, Pope Leo issued a final call: “I ask you to choose, with courage and conviction, a path of communication that promotes peace.”
