Pope Leo has called for an end to a polarising “war of words” as he hosted an audience with international media for the first time.

Speaking in Vatican City to thousands of members of the media, he said “we are living in times that are both difficult to navigate and to recount” – adding they present a “challenge for all of us”, but it is one “we should not run away from”.

The new pontiff said he was repeating an “invitation” made by his predecessor Pope Francis by saying: “Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred.”

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Pic: Reuters


Pope Leo XIV speaks with people at the end of an audience with representatives of the media in Paul VI hall at the Vatican, May 12, 2025. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
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Pic: Reuters

“Let us free it from aggression,” he added.

“Disarmed and disarming communication allows us to share a different view of the world and to act in a manner consistent with our human dignity.”

Leo – the first pope from the US – opened the meeting with a few words in English, before turning to Italian and thanking journalists for covering the conclave and his historic election.

Pope Leo XIV holds an audience with representatives of the media in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. Pic: Reuters
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The Pope delivers his address in Vatican City. Pic: Reuters

Pope Leo XIV holds an audience with representatives of the media. Pic: Reuters
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Pic: Reuters

Urging them to use words of peace, he said: “Peace begins with each one of us: in the way we look at others, listen to others and speak about others.

“In this sense, the way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.”

What it was like in the room as Pope addressed media

Pope Leo XIV’s choice to hold his pontificate’s first audience with journalists was deeply significant, writes Simone Baglivo, Sky’s Europe producer in Vatican City.

Speaking with some of the 6,000 media professionals who covered his election, he focused on the need for press freedom around the world.

When he called for the release of journalists imprisoned for seeking the truth, the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall erupted in applause.

The American pontiff also recognised the tiring work many of us have done here and thanked us for that. Finally, he addressed us as “dear friends”, delivered a blessing in Latin and decided to personally greet some of us.

While shaking my hand and many others, he confessed he’s still learning his new role and isn’t planning to visit the US anytime soon.

Instead, he said he’s preparing a trip to Nicaea in Turkey, as Pope Francis wanted.

This is his first full week as Pope and many decisions are awaiting him. Yet, he seemed calm and relaxed and made some jokes too.

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The 69-year-old pontiff made history when he was elected as the first US pope last Thursday following a two-day conclave.

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‘We used to tease him that he’d be pope’

During his audience on Monday, the Pope – who spent many years in Peru as a missionary – expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press”. Drawing applause from the crowd, he asked for their release.

Commenting on those “who report on war even at the cost of their lives”, the Pope praised “the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices”.

“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,” he added.

Leo also addressed artificial intelligence, saying it had to be used with “responsibility and discernment”.

It comes after his first Sunday address since his election as pontiff, where he appealed to crowds in St Peter’s Square for “no more war”.

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Pope’s first Sunday address

Quoting his predecessor Francis, he denounced the number of ongoing conflicts as “a third world in pieces”.

The Pope also called for an “authentic and lasting peace” in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages.