Pope Leo XIV has known as for the discharge of imprisoned journalists in his first deal with to members of the media on the Vatican.
He expressed solidarity with journalists who had been jailed “for searching for and reporting the reality” and mentioned their struggling “challenges the conscience of countries and the worldwide group”.
Press freedom should be defended, he mentioned. The media should be sure that the “valuable reward” of free speech is protected.
The Committee to Defend Journalists mentioned 361 journalists had been in jail in 2024.
Pope Leo, who was chosen as the brand new chief of the Catholic Church on Thursday, additionally highlighted the function journalists can play in bringing consideration to injustice and poverty on the planet.
He urged the media to concentrate on reporting the reality as an alternative of participating in partisan divisions, and to not give house to “fanaticism and hatred.”
Talking within the Vatican’s Paul VI viewers corridor, he mentioned “the way in which we talk is of basic significance: we should say ‘no’ to the disagreement and pictures, we should reject the paradigm of battle.”
“We don’t want loud, forceful communication,” he mentioned, “however fairly communication that’s able to listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who don’t have any voice.”
The brand new pope additionally raised issues about synthetic intelligence, telling the assembled media they need to use AI with “duty and discernment.”
Reporters ought to be sure that AI can be utilized for the “advantage of all of humanity,” he mentioned.
Leo XIV spoke primarily in Italian, however opened with a quip in English in regards to the enormous spherical of applause he obtained when he walked into the room.
“Thanks for this excellent reception,” he mentioned.
“They are saying that after they clap originally, it would not matter a lot. If you happen to’re nonetheless awake on the finish and nonetheless wish to applaud, thanks very a lot.”
