Amidst applause from over 1,000 journalists in Vatican City, Pope Leo XIV appealed for a more harmonious media landscape during his first audience with the press. The pope highlighted the necessity of reducing aggressive rhetoric and embracing language that fosters understanding rather than hostility. Citing his predecessor, Pope Francis, he urged that communication must strive to be devoid of “prejudice and resentment.”

“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression,” he proclaimed to the gathered audience, alluding to the increasingly polarized nature of today’s media. Leo called for interactions grounded in listening and understanding rather than loud, confrontational discourse.

Acknowledging the significance of informed decision-making, he expressed gratitude for the “precious gift of free speech and of the press.” His address marked a tradition in the Vatican, with the last five popes having similarly engaged the media in their early days of papacy. The warm reception he received indicated a desire for cooperative relations between the Vatican and the press, showcasing a mutual recognition of the power and influence of journalism in today’s society.