Pope Leo XIV has asked for the release of journalists who have been jailed for trying to tell the truth. He said they should not be punished for doing their job honestly.
At the same time, he told reporters to be careful with their words. He warned them not to use their reports to spread hate or cause division.
The Pope shared this message during his first official meeting with journalists on Monday.
He said, “Peace starts with each one of us — in how we look at others, listen to them, and speak about them.” He spoke to the media at the Paul VI audience hall in the Vatican.
He also said the Catholic Church supports journalists who are in prison for telling the truth. He asked that they be released.
Pope Leo was chosen by cardinals last Thursday in a private vote called a conclave. This is how the new leader of the Catholic Church is selected.
On Sunday, during his second public appearance, he spoke from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. He asked for peace around the world and an end to war.
He also asked for a fair and lasting peace in Ukraine. He shared that he was very sad about the ongoing fighting in Gaza and asked for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas.
