VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Monday made a public appeal for the release of imprisoned journalists and emphasized the importance of free speech and a free press during a gathering with thousands of journalists in Rome to cover his historic election as the first American pope.
Leo received a warm reception as he entered the Vatican auditorium for his initial interaction with the public.
The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary, chosen in a swift conclave last week, urged journalists to promote peace, denounce violence, and give a voice to the marginalized.
He stood in solidarity with imprisoned journalists worldwide and called for their immediate release.
“The church acknowledges the bravery of these individuals — particularly those who risk their lives to report on conflicts — who defend human dignity, justice, and the right to information, as only an informed society can make autonomous decisions,” he stated.
“The suffering of these incarcerated journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the global community, urging us all to protect the invaluable freedoms of speech and press.”
Leo commenced the gathering with a brief English address, humorously noting that the audience’s wakefulness and applause at the end were more significant than their initial ovation.
Switching to Italian, he expressed gratitude to the journalists for their coverage of the papal transition and encouraged them to promote peace through their words.
“Peace begins with each individual: in how we perceive others, listen to others, and speak about others,” he emphasized. “Therefore, our method of communication is crucial: we must reject verbal and visual warfare, and abandon the mentality of conflict.”
Following his speech on the positive impact of words, he interacted with journalists in the front rows before shaking hands with the crowd as he departed through the central aisle. He also signed autographs and took selfies with attendees.
Journalists later shared snippets of their conversations with him, hinting at potential Vatican plans for Leo to travel to Turkey to commemorate a significant event in Catholic-Orthodox relations: the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, Christianity’s inaugural ecumenical council.
Additional details emerged: Journalists proposed playing doubles in tennis or organizing a charity match. Leo, an avid tennis player, seemed interested “but we can’t invite Sinner,” he joked, referencing the top-ranked player Jannik Sinner, competing nearby at the Italian Open.
It was during the 2013 meeting with journalists covering the election of the first Latin American pope that Pope Francis explained his selection of name, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, and his vision for a “church which is poor and for the poor!”
