On May 12, 2025, in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, the new Pope Leo XIV met with representatives of the media from around the world who had gathered to cover the recent conclave and the significant events of the Church, including the death of Pope Francis and the election of the new pontiff. This highly anticipated meeting allowed the Holy Father to share his vision of communication and to emphasize the essential role of journalists in contemporary society.
From the very beginning of his speech, Pope Leo XIV set the tone by recalling the Beatitude from the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Mt 5:9). He stressed that these words are especially relevant to communication professionals, inviting them to “a different kind of communication, one that does not seek consensus at all costs, does not use aggressive words, does not follow a culture of competition, and never separates the search for truth from the love with which it must be received.” For the Pope, peace begins with each person, with the way we look at, listen to, and speak about others.
The Pope reaffirmed the Church’s solidarity with journalists imprisoned for seeking to report the truth. He called for their release, emphasizing that the suffering of these journalists “challenges the conscience of nations and the international community,” and reminding everyone that freedom of expression and of the press is a precious good that must be protected.
Leo XIV thanked the media for their coverage of recent events, including Holy Week, the death of Pope Francis, and the conclave. He praised their ability to “tell the beauty of Christ’s love that unites us all,” even in moments of mourning and transition.
The Pope acknowledged that “we live in a time that is difficult to recount,” but encouraged journalists not to give in to mediocrity and to rise to the challenges of the era. He quoted Saint Augustine: “Let us live well, and the times will be good. We are the times.” He thanked the media for overcoming stereotypes and for conveying the essence of Christian and ecclesial life to the whole world.
The Holy Father also addressed the challenges related to technological development, particularly artificial intelligence. He insisted on the need for responsible and discerning use of these tools, so that they serve the common good and benefit all humanity.
In conclusion, Leo XIV echoed Pope Francis’ call for the World Communications Day: “Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, of all fanaticism and even all hatred; let us free it from aggressiveness.” He invited everyone to favor communication that is capable of listening and attentive to the voices of the weakest, affirming that “disarming words is to help disarm the world.”
Pope Leo XIV thus urged media professionals to “consciously and courageously choose the path of communication in favor of peace,” thanking them for their service to the truth and asking them to continue working for a more just and fraternal world.
“We do not need noisy and sensational communication, but communication capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice. Let us disarm words and we will help disarm the world.” – Pope Leo XIV
This first address by the new pope to the press marks a strong commitment to responsible information, in the service of peace and human dignity.
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