Pope Leo XIV has known as for the discharge of imprisoned journalists in his first tackle to members of the media on the Vatican.
He expressed solidarity with journalists who have been jailed “for searching for and reporting the reality” and mentioned their struggling “challenges the conscience of countries and the worldwide neighborhood”.
Press freedom have to be defended, he mentioned. The media should be sure that the “treasured present” of free speech is protected.
The Committee to Shield Journalists mentioned 361 journalists have 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 this planet.
He urged the media to give attention to reporting the reality as a substitute of collaborating in partisan divisions, and to not give area to “fanaticism and hatred.”
Talking within the Vatican’s Paul VI viewers corridor, he mentioned “the best way we talk is of elementary significance: we should say ‘no’ to the confrontation and pictures, we should reject the paradigm of battle.”
“We don’t want loud, forceful communication,” he mentioned, “however somewhat communication that’s able to listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who haven’t any voice.”
The brand new pope additionally raised considerations about synthetic intelligence, telling the assembled media they need to use AI with “accountability and discernment.”
Reporters ought to be sure that AI can be utilized for the “good thing about 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 glorious reception,” he mentioned.
“They are saying that once they clap firstly, it would not matter a lot. For those who’re nonetheless awake on the finish and nonetheless need to applaud, thanks very a lot.”
