Pope asks journalists to shun anger, promote peace in their reporting

During a special audience on May 12 for members of the media who covered the death of Pope Francis and his subsequent election, Pope Leo also called for the release of journalists imprisoned for their work.

“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 Pope said.

The new Pope particularly thanked reporters “for what you have done to move beyond stereotypes and clichés through which we often interpret Christian life and the life of the Church itself”.

After giving his speech and his apostolic blessing, the Pope personally greeted dozens of journalists. One asked if he would be traveling home to the United States soon; the Pope responded “I don’t think so”.

In his formal talk, Pope Leo focused on how the media can choose to promote division and discord, or it can promote peace.

The Gospel beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers”, is a challenge for everyone, he said, but especially for the media. It calls “each one of you to strive for a different kind of communication, one that does not seek consensus at all costs, does not use aggressive words, does not follow the culture of competition and never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it”.

The words and style journalists use are “crucial”, he said, because communication is not only about transmitting information; it should create a culture and “human and digital environments that become spaces for dialogue and discussion”.

“We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice,” he said.

New technology, he told the reporters, poses special challenges for them. “I am thinking in particular of artificial intelligence, with its immense potential, which nevertheless requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity.”

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Pope Leo XIV thanks media, urges them to be peacemakers (By Cindy Wooden/CNS)

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Full text: Pope Leo’s audience with media covering conclave (CNS)