Pope Leo Xiv used his first audiences to attract journalists in the media on Monday to help cool down the intense language of today’s media landscape as he updated his call for a quieter world.
Leo echoes some ideas to his former Pope Francis, demanding gentle language when presenting facts to the world.
“Let us relieve communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us get rid of aggressiveness,” Leo told more than 1,000 journalists who gathered in an auditorium in the Vatican City on Monday. He added: “We don't need loud, powerful communication, but communication that can listen.”
In words that might win his point with the audience, he also talked about the need to inform people to make informed decisions and the need to “free speech and valuable gifts for the press.”
The newly elected pope applauded ecstasy from members of the news media, some of whom will continue to report on his Pope, some flying over the days and weeks, reporting on Francis' death and funeral, and the meeting of elected Leo. Leo's speech is a pope tradition, often interrupted by applause.
The last five popes attracted audiences with the media in the first few days of the pope. The event reflects the Vatican’s recognition of the value of public communication and its desire to establish a good relationship with the reported news media.
Leo was the first American pope to lead the Roman Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion loyalty, and his pope's first day promises to be consistent with the “ordinary people” while condemning aggression and conflict. Just as Vatican observers pay attention to clues about how he plans to lead, Leo calls out Francis, who has spoken for marginalized people several times. He did it again on Monday.
During the speech that lasted about 10 minutes, Leo also called for the release of journalists imprisoned for work. According to nonpartisan journalists, at least 550 journalists worldwide were held worldwide in December 2024.
Leo says the church treats incarcerated journalists as witnesses. “I am considering those who fight at the expense of their lives – the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the rights of the people, because only those who know can choose freely.”
“The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of the national and international community and calls on all of us to safeguard freedom of speech and a valuable gift from the press,” he said.
He also mentioned the challenges of social media and artificial intelligence, which he has already highlighted.
He started with an English impromptu joke, where he thanked the reporters for the applause, but hoped they wouldn't fall asleep in their speech. After the speech, he stepped out of the marble steps from the stage and shook hands with officials and some journalists, exchanged a few words and signed them.
The Pope was born in Chicago and signed a baseball and someone reached out to him. A woman online also asked Leo to take selfies – a situation his predecessors rarely faced on their first media outing. He politely refused, shook hands and moved on.
