Pope Leo calls for the liberation of imprisoned journalists, notes their courage | News
The new pontiff speaks of witnesses who report on the war even at the cost of their lives.
Pope Leo XIV called for the release of journalists imprisoned for doing their job while affirming freedom of expression.
Leo, who was elected pontiff Thursday after the death of Pope Francis, gave his first press conference to the Vatican on Monday.
Speaking to some thousands of journalists who went to Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff, he said that journalists imprisoned “for looking and pointed out.”
“The Church recognizes in these witnesses – I think of those who report on the war even at the cost of their lives – the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed because only informed people can make free choices,” he said.
“The suffering of these imprisoned journalists calls into question the conscience of nations and the international community, calling us all to protect the precious gift of freedom of expression and the press.”
The new pope also reiterated his message of peace which he also communicated to large crowds on Sunday.
“Peace begins with each of us-in the way we look at others, listen to others and talk about others,” he told journalists gathered in the vast audience of Vatican Paul VI.
“In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance. We must say “no” to the war of words and images. We must reject the war paradigm. “
Leo, who was active on social networks before becoming a pope, warned against “the communication of all prejudices and resentments, fanaticism and even hatred”.
“Let us disarm the words and we will help disarm the world,” he said, urging journalists to promote a communication path for peace.
During his first Sunday blessing as a pontiff, Leo pleaded for a real peace in Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere.
He said that he was carrying in his heart the “suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine” and called for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the release of all the people detained by the Palestinian group Hamas in the enclave.
