Head of the Catholic Church Pope Leo XIV commemorated World Press Freedom Day on Sunday by condemning violations of press freedom across the globe and honoured journalists killed in war zones.
The Pope ended his weekly Sunday prayer in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican by highlighting the importance of independent journalism and the dangers faced by reporters.
He said, “Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day … unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ways, sometimes in more hidden forms.”
World Press Freedom Day is sponsored by the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO to show support for media organisations that come under pressure or censorship.
Pope Leo asked the Church’s followers to remember journalists and reporters who lost their lives at work, especially in war-torn regions.
“We remember the many journalists and reporters who have been victims of war and violence,” he said.
Pope Leo has been vocal about supporting free press in past speeches, describing journalism as a pillar of society and democracy, and information as a public good that must be safeguarded and defended. He has thanked journalists for sharing the truth and asserted that doing their job could never be considered a crime. He has also frequently called for the release of journalists being unfairly detained or prosecuted.
The Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs’ Costs of War project released a report last month, revealing that Israel’s war on Gaza was the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded. Official numbers estimate that Israeli forces have killed 232 Palestinian journalists since October 2023. The report found that journalist deaths in Gaza are higher than in both World Wars, the Vietnam War, the wars in Yugoslavia, and the United States war in Afghanistan combined.
Paris-based press freedom NGO, Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) or Reporters Without Borders, revealed last week that freedom of press around the world had fallen to its lowest in 25 years.
