VATICAN CITY (AP) - On Monday, Pope Leo XIV made a significant impact during his first public address as the newly elected pontiff. Calling for the release of imprisoned journalists, he emphasized the vital importance of free speech and press in society. This call to action came during an audience with approximately 6,000 journalists who had gathered in Rome to cover his historic election as the first American pope.
Pope Leo XIV, who is 69 years old and an Augustinian missionary, received an enthusiastic standing ovation as he entered the Vatican auditorium. The pope was elected during a swift 24-hour conclave held the previous week, marking a pivotal moment in the papacy. During his address, Leo XIV urged journalists to utilize their words for peace, to denounce war, and to amplify the voices of those who are often unheard.
He expressed solidarity with journalists worldwide who are imprisoned for their commitment to truth and reporting. This call for their release resonated with the audience, drawing applause. "The Church recognizes in these witnesses—especially those reporting from war zones, often at the cost of their lives—the courage to defend dignity, justice, and the right of people to be informed," he stated. "Only informed individuals can make free choices," he added, highlighting the ethical responsibility of communication.
Leo XIV criticized the plight of imprisoned journalists, characterizing their suffering as a challenge to the conscience of nations and the international community. He called on everyone to uphold the essential gift of free speech and the press, underlining that this responsibility rests on all of society. In opening the meeting, the pope entertained the crowd with a few words in English, humorously noting that if they were still awake and applauding at the end, it would be more meaningful than their initial ovation.
Transitioning to Italian, Leo XIV expressed gratitude to the journalists for their role in covering the papal transition and encouraged them to promote peace through their work. He stated, "Peace begins with each one of us: in the way we look at others, listen to others, and speak about others." The pope emphasized the importance of communication, insisting that society must reject a "war of words and images" and instead embrace a paradigm of peace.
After his brief speech, which focused on the powerful potential of words to foster positive change, Pope Leo XIV engaged with the journalists, greeting several in the front rows. As he exited the audience hall, he personally shook hands with members of the crowd and signed autographs, even posing for selfies—a gesture that reflects his approachable and modern papacy.
Notably, this event recalled the 2013 audience with journalists covering the election of Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope. During that meeting, Pope Francis revealed his choice of name, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi, emphasizing his desire for a "church which is poor and for the poor."
