'Safeguard precious gift of free speech, press': Pope Leo XIV
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Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Monday called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press” in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff, the Associated Press reported.
Leo received a standing ovation as he entered the Vatican auditorium for his first meeting with representatives of the general public.
The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary, elected in a 24-hour conclave last week, called for journalists to use words for peace, to reject war and to give voice to the voiceless.
He expressed solidarity with journalists around the world who have been jailed for trying to seek and report the truth. Drawing applause from the crowd, he asked for their release.
“The church recognises in these witnesses — I am thinking of those who report on 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 individuals can make free choices,” he said.
“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 further said that he is deeply sorrowful over the events in the Gaza Strip and called for An immediate ceasefire in the war-torn territory. He said that humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach the needy there and all hostages must be released.
He then said that he welcome with great joy the ceasefire between India and Pakistan. But he take to heart the suffering of the Ukrainian people. There must be a lasting peace in Ukraine, he said and added that as Pope Francis always says to the great powers of the world, there must be no more war.
