Pope Leo XIV calls for release of journalists imprisoned for 'seeking truth'
Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists and affirmed the "precious gift of free speech and the press" on Monday during his first press conference as leader of the world's Roman Catholics. The address was attended by journalists, diplomats and top Vatican officials who gathered to meet with the newly elected pontiff.
To display this content from YouTube, you must enable advertisement tracking and audience measurement.
One of your browser extensions seems to be blocking the video player from loading. To watch this content, you may need to disable it on this site.

Pope Leo XIV, who was elected by the Vatican conclave on May 8, gave his first press conference at the Vatican on Monday, addressing some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff.
The pope called on Monday for the release of journalists jailed "for seeking and reporting the truth" and warned reporters against using their words to fan hatred.
The former Robert Francis Prevost, the first US pope, was speaking at an introductory audience with the media after being elected by cardinals in a secret conclave on Thursday.
"Peace begins with each one of us – in the way we look at others, listen to others and speak about others," he told assembled journalists at the Vatican's vast Paul VI audience hall.
"In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance. We must say 'no' to the war of words and images. We must reject the paradigm of war.
"Let me, therefore, reiterate today the Church's solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking and reporting the truth, while also asking for their release.
"The Church recognises in these witnesses – I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives – the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices.
"The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press."
According to Reporters Without Borders, 550 journalists were detained in 2024, as of December 1.
Pope Leo, who himself was active on social media before becoming pope, also reminded journalists of their responsibilities.
Read morePope Leo reposted articles criticising Trump and Vance before becoming pontiff
"Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression," he said.
"We do not need loud, forceful communication but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.
"Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world."
He added that for those on the forefront of reporting conflicts, injustice and poverty, "I ask you to choose consciously and courageously the path of communication in favour of peace."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Record-breakers: The papal conclave in numbers
Black or white smoke: How the Vatican signals the election of a new pope
Lies, China ties and Macron’s fettuccine: Conclave whisperers seek to sway pope’s election
Will the next pope be from Africa?
Catholic Church 'in grave trouble if cardinals go backwards' after Francis