Pope Leo XIV calls for the release of imprisoned journalists, tells media to be peacemakers

['Cindy Wooden - Catholic News Service', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] News - America Magazine 2025-05-12 00:00:00

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV asked journalists to be peacemakers by shunning prejudice and anger in their reporting, and he called for the release of journalists imprisoned for their work. Not counting his meeting May 10 with the College of Cardinals, Pope Leo’s first special audience was reserved for members of the media who covered his election and the death of Pope Francis. In his formal talk, Pope Leo focused on how the media can promote division and discord or peace. The Gospel beatitude, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” is a challenge for everyone, he said, but especially for the media. “Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world,” he said.