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Pope Leo XIV asked the publication of detained journalists in his first speech to the media members in the Vatican.
He expressed solidarity with journalists who were imprisoned “because they were sought and reported the truth”, and said that their suffering “in question the conscience of the nations and the international community”.
Freedom of the press must be defended, he said. The media must ensure that the “precious gift” of freedom of speech is protected.
The committee to protect journalists said that 361 journalists were in prison in 2024.
Pope Leo, who was selected as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, also emphasized the role that journalists can play to draw attention to injustice and poverty in the world.
He asked the media to concentrate on reporting the truth instead of participating in partisan departments and not giving space to “fanaticism and hatred”.
In the Paul VI audience hall of the Vatican Vatican, he said: “The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: We have to say” no “to the war of words and pictures that we have to reject the paradigm of war.”
“We don’t need a loud, powerful communication,” he said, “but a communication that is able to listen and collect the voices of the weak and collect that have no voice.”
The new Pope also expressed concerns about artificial intelligence and informed the assembled media that they should use AI with “responsibility and distinction”.
Reporters should make sure that AI can be used for the “advantage of all humanity”, he said.
Leo XIV mainly spoke in Italian, but opened with a joke in English about the huge applause he received when he went into the room.
“Thanks for this wonderful reception,” he said.
“You say when you clap at the beginning, it doesn’t matter. If you are still awake and still want to applaud, thank you.”