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October 10, 2025 – Vatican City/Palestine –
Pope Leo XIV has publicly honoured journalists who brave conflict zones like Gaza, emphasising that much of what the world knows about beleaguered regions comes at great personal cost. “If today we know what is happening in Gaza, Ukraine, and every other land bloodied by bombs, we largely owe it to them,” he asserted during a gathering of global news agency leaders.
Speaking at the 39th Conference and Extraordinary General Assembly of MINDS International, the pontiff pressed news organizations not to compromise integrity for clicks or profit. He urged media professionals to uphold competence, courage, and ethics, stressing that journalism is never a crime but a vital pillar of free society.
Leo also renewed his call for the immediate release of jailed journalists and cautioned against the dilution of truth in an era dominated by misinformation and algorithmic influence. He asked pointedly: “Who controls the algorithms, who directs it, and for what purposes?”
Observing that many reporters have “died while carrying out their duties,” he warned against letting the casualties of journalism become normalized. “We must not forget them,” he said, tying their sacrifices to the broader mission of defending access to information.
His address comes amid growing pressure on the media in conflict zones and echoes concerns over the erosion of press freedom globally. The pope’s remarks underscore an insistence that truth, especially in times of war, must not be overshadowed by spectacle, propaganda, or fear.
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