Pope Leo XIV calls for integrity and responsibility in journalism

Pope Leo XIV, in his first public address to the media, delivered a powerful message calling for integrity and responsibility in journalism, news agency Reuters reported.

Speaking to thousands of reporters gathered following his election and the passing of Pope Francis, he urged the press to prioritise truth over partisanship and resist the temptation to engage in divisive narratives.

“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,” Pope Leo XIV told thousands of journalists who had gathered to cover his election and the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

His remarks included a call for the release of journalists imprisoned for carrying out their professional duties, underscoring his commitment to press freedom and ethical communication.

This early message from the new pope positions him as a vocal advocate for peace, transparency, and the protection of those who seek to inform the public, setting a tone that blends moral leadership with active defense of human rights in the digital age.

Pope not only highlighted the human cost of censorship and repression, but also issued a moral summons to world leaders and institutions to defend the rights of those who risk their freedom to report the truth. His comments signal a papacy that is likely to champion human rights, transparency, and the ethical use of communication from its outset.

While speaking out in defence of press freedom, Pope Leo drew attention to the plight of imprisoned journalists worldwide. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 361 reporters were behind bars at the end of last year.

“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,” Pope Leo XIV said, as quoted by Reuters.

The pope’s remarks served as a pointed reminder of the moral and societal responsibility to defend freedom of expression — especially in an era when truth and transparency are increasingly under threat.