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Pope Leo XIV calls for the release of journalists “sentenced to jail for seeking and reporting the truth.”
He said while speaking to the media’s presentation audience a few days after being elected in the media on Monday, May 12.
He also warned reporters not to use their words to hate.
The Pope, formerly known as Robert Francis Prevost, told the rally reporter in the vast Paul VI Auditorium in the Vatican: “Peace begins with each of us – in the way we see others, listen to others and talk about others.
“In this sense, the way we communicate is crucial. We must say ‘no’ to the verbal and image war. We must reject the war paradigm.
“So let me reaffirm today’s solidarity with journalists imprisoned for seeking and reporting truths, while also demanding the release of them.
“The Church acknowledges among these witnesses – I am thinking about those who report to the war at the expense of their lives – defending dignity, justice and the courage of those who are told, because only the informed individuals can choose freely.
“The suffering of these incarcerated journalists challenges the conscience of the national and international community and calls on all of us to protect freedom of speech and valuable gifts from the press.”
According to reporters without borders, as of December 1, 550 journalists were detained.
Pope Leo also reminds reporters to take responsibility.
“Let us remove communication with all prejudice and dissatisfaction, fanaticism and even hatred; let us get rid of aggressiveness,” he said.
“We don’t need loud, powerful communication, but communication that is able to listen and collect the voices of the weak without sound.
“Let’s unwording and we will help undo the world.”
For those at the forefront of reporting conflicts, injustice and poverty, he said: “I ask you to choose the path of communication consciously and bravely to support peace”.
