Pope Leo XIV thanked the work of journalists looking for the truth, extolling the “courage of those who defend the dignity, justice and right of people to be informed, because only informed people can make free decisions.”
The Holy Father participated on Tuesday in his first mass audience, granted to journalists gathered in Rome who during these days have communicated to the world the latest events that have marked the history of the Church: from the death of Pope Francis to the election of his successor.
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Thousands of accredited journalists in the press office of the Holy See rowed from the early morning around the Vatican, waiting for their turn to enter the classroom Paul VI.
Although the encounter with the Holy Father was scheduled for 11:00 (Rome time), many had already occupied their seats two hours before. With the arrival of the Holy Father, the crowd broke into a prolonged applause and cheers of “Long live the Pope!”
Joked with journalists
Once in his white chair, located on the central stand of the classroom, Pope Leo XIV improvised a joke in English: Good morning, and thanks for this wonderful reception! They say that when they applaud at the beginning it doesn’t matter much … if they are still awake at the end, and they still want to applaud … Thank you very much! ”
The pontiff thanked the communicators for their work at this time “of grace for the Church”, while encouraging them not to follow “the culture of competition” and never separate “the search for truth” from love with which “we must seek it humbly.”
“We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of the war,” he added.
The gift of freedom of expression and press
Later, he reiterated the solidarity of the Church “with journalists imprisoned for seeking and spreading the truth,” while requested by his liberation.
“The Church recognizes in these witnesses – I think of those who report on the war even at the expense of their life – the courage of those who defend the dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only the informed people can make free decisions.”
After a strong applause of those present, the Pope said that “the suffering of these jailed journalists challenges the consciousness of nations and the international community, and urges us all to safeguard the beautiful gift of freedom of expression and press.”
“Thank you, dear friends, for your service to the truth,” he said below.
“We live difficult times to browse and tell. They are a challenge for all of us, but we should not flee from it,” said Leo XIV.
Do not yield to mediocrity and “unarmed” communication
In this context, he encouraged journalists not to give up “to mediocrity”, since “communication and journalism do not exist outside time and history.”
Therefore, he reiterated the importance of avoiding “the confusion of languages without love, often ideological or partisan.”
He also cited the technological advances and the “immense potential” of artificial intelligence, which, however, “requires responsibility and discernment to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it benefits all humanity.”
“Let’s disarm words and we will contribute to disarm the world. An unarmed and scarter communication allows us to share a different vision of the world and act in a way consistent with our human dignity,” he said.
Finally, he encouraged journalists to continue in the front row “to inform about the conflicts and aspirations of peace, about the situations of injustice and poverty, and about the silent work of so many people fighting to create a better world.”
“Therefore, I ask you to choose with conscience and courage the path of communication in favor of peace,” he concluded.
Bless young children and a wink to Peru
At the end of his speech, Pope Leo XIV approached the crowd to talk to journalists.
When passing through the central hall, he blessed Lorenzo Ibáñez, son of the veteran Ewtn News photographer. “He is the second Pope who blesses him in less than a year,” said his father, Daniel, in statements to ACI Press.
In the front row was the Aigav Council (association of journalists accredited in the Vatican) and some of them were able to exchange a few words with the Holy Father.
The correspondent of the Spanish newspaper ABC, Javier Martínez-Brocal, told him that journalists are “allies and not enemies of the Pope.” “We are allies because we look for the truth,” replied the Holy Father.
Another journalist reminded him that tomorrow the day of the Virgin of Fatima is celebrated and asked if he planned to travel soon to the sanctuary. “Cardinal Prevost had decided to go … but the plans have changed now,” said Leo XIV.
Also, many of them offered to play with him to tennis, since he is a great fan of this sport. “Game, but not very well,” replied the pontiff with a smile.
Leo XIV also had time to sign a baseball ball and pose with a alpaca wool scarf that hung the neck, a gift from a journalist from Peru, the country that the Pope carries in his heart.
Almudena Martínez-Bordiú
Graduated in journalism and advertising from the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid. Specialized in religious information in Spain since 2015. It has been a senior correspondent for ACI Press and Ewtn News at the Vatican for two years and is currently a correspondent for Europe based on Spain.