Pope Leo XIV calls for the release of imprisoned journalists, saying freedom of speech is a “valuable gift”

Pope Leo 14 When he demanded the release of imprisoned journalists, he called free speech and media a "valuable gift." In the audience, he commented with some of 6,000 journalists from around the world who have landed in Rome over the past week to cover his election as the first American-born pope.

Leo entered the Vatican Chutitorium and attended his first meeting with public representatives.

Pope Leo XIV attended the audience with Vatican reporters — Pope Leo XIV attended the audience with media representatives on May 12, 2025 at Paul VI Hall in the Vatican. Isabella Bonotto/Anadolu by Getty Images

Augustine missionary, 69 Born in Chicagocalling on journalists to use peace words, reject war and make voices.

"The Church recognizes among these witnesses - I am considering those who report to the war at the expense of their lives - the courts that defend dignity, justice and people who are told, because only informed individuals can choose freely," Leo said. "The suffering of these incarcerated journalists challenges the conscience of the state and the international community, calling on us all to protect freedom of speech and valuable gifts from the press."

Leo opened a few words in English and joked that if the crowd was still awake and applauding, it was more important than the applause of him.

Turning to Italian, he thanked journalists for covering the work of the Pope’s transition and urged them to use the discourse of peace.

"Peace begins with each of us: the way we see others, listen to others and talk about others," he said. "In this sense, the way we communicate is crucial: we have to say 'no' to the words and images of war, and we have to reject the war paradigm."

The reporter who greeted Leo after a brief speech shared several words they communicated with him, including the Vatican plan to continue to travel to Turkey to commemorate the important events in the Catholic-Orthodox relations: the 1,700th anniversary of the Nicaea Council.

In his first Sunday addressLeo calls for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, with an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza.

"I also resolve the great power of the world by repeating the ever-present call'Never fight again," Leo said. St. Peter's Basilica There are estimated to be 100,000 people below.

Leo, who Choose Thursday To be the next pope, it will be unveiled at a mass in St. Peter's Square on Sunday.