Pope Leo marked World Press Freedom Day on Sunday by condemning ongoing violations of media freedom and honoring journalists killed while reporting in conflict zones.
Speaking at the end of his weekly prayer in Saint Peter’s Square, he highlighted the dual significance of the day as both a recognition of independent journalism and a warning about increasing risks faced by reporters.
"Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day … unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ways, sometimes in more hidden forms," he said.
He urged the faithful to remember those who lost their lives in pursuit of truth, particularly in areas affected by war and violence.
"We remember the many journalists and reporters who have been victims of war and violence," the pope said.
World Press Freedom Day, observed on May 3 and supported by UNESCO, aims to show solidarity with media organizations facing censorship and pressure while commemorating journalists killed in the line of duty.
Recent findings have underscored the worsening global climate for press freedom, with a report by Reporters Without Borders indicating that conditions have declined to their lowest level in 25 years.
More than half of the world’s countries now fall into “difficult” or “very serious” categories for press freedom, reflecting what the organization described as increasing criminalization of journalism.
The dangers faced by journalists have been particularly evident in conflict zones.
A report by the Costs of War project found that Israel’s war on Gaza has become the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded, with 232 Palestinian journalists killed since October 2023.
The report noted that this figure surpasses journalist fatalities recorded across multiple major conflicts combined.
In previous remarks, Pope Leo has described journalism as a pillar of democracy and emphasized that information is a public good requiring protection.
He has also consistently called for the release of journalists detained or prosecuted for their work, reiterating that reporting the truth should not be treated as a crime.