Pope supports persecuted journalists

Pope Leo XIV at a meeting with journalists, May 12, 2025. Photo: @Vatican Media

On May 12, 2025, during a meeting with media representatives from around the world, Pope Leo XIV expressed solidarity with persecuted journalists, according to Vatican News.

The Pope reiterated the Church’s support for journalists who are imprisoned for reporting the truth and called for their release.

"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," the Vatican website quoted the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The Pope highlighted that "only informed individuals can make free choices."

As the UOJ previously reported, Pope Leo had called on the media not to sow hatred.

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