Pope Leo XIV has expressly called for "the release of journalists imprisoned for telling the truth" and urged the media to choose "unarmed and disarming information" in the face of the wars shaking the world.
Leo XIV held a special audience at the Paul VI Audience Hall in the Vatican attended by over a thousand representatives of the media who covered the funerals of Francis and his ascent as the 267th Pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church.
The most applauded moment of his speech was when he recalled the imprisonment of journalists in various parts of the world and advocated for their release: "Only an informed people can make fair and appropriate decisions".
Leo XIV emphasized the importance of communication and urged the media to avoid language that promotes "prejudice, fanaticism, and hatred". In line with his first message of peace from the balcony of St. Peter's, the Pope called for the media's contribution as a counterpoint to conflicts with "unarmed and disarming information." Leo XIV also referred to the "immense potential" of Artificial Intelligence and called for its "responsible and understanding use". Amid chants of "You can feel it, the Pope is here," the Pontiff took a final stroll and even deigned to sign a baseball for an American admirer.