Pope Leo XIV Calls for Release of Jailed Journalists

Courtesy: Canva / Uzhursky

In his first address to media as newly chosen Pope, Leo XIV spoke up on behalf of jailed journalists around the world. "The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press" he said.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, there were 361 journalists imprisoned around the world at the end of 2024. There were 103 journalists killed in 2024, which is the largest number in the last two decades. So far in 2025, there have been 21 journalists killed globally.

Pope Leo also took the opportunity speaking to thousands of journalists, to urge them to focus on reporting truth, as opposed to engaging in partisan debates. "The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say 'no' to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war" Leo declared. He is the first Pope born in the United States and is more progressive politically than his predecessors.