“Choose consciously and courageously the path of communication in favour of peace.” This invitation concluded Pope Leo XIV’s address to the media representatives who travelled to Rome over the past few days to attend the audience in Paul VI Hall.
“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”,
the Pope said, quoting from his predecessor’s last message on social communications and repeating the same adjectives that he had connected with peace in his first greeting to the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. “You are at the forefront of reporting on conflicts and aspirations for peace, on situations of injustice and poverty, and on the silent work of so many people striving to create a better world”, he concluded: “For this reason,
I ask you to choose consciously and courageously the path of communication in favour of peace.”
On the sidelines of the meeting, it was announced that preparations are under way for a visit to Nicea, much desired by Francis.
“Strive for a different kind of communication, one that does not seek consensus at all costs, does not use aggressive words, does not follow the culture of competition and never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.”
It is the Pope’s first recommendation to journalists, whom he reminded that “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”, is the recommendation of Leo XIV in his first public audience, devoted to journalists – a tradition for newly elected popes:
“We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.”
The Pope’s first thoughts went to those who risk their lives simply for doing their job:
“Let me, therefore, reiterate today the Church’s solidarity with journalists who are imprisoned for seeking to report the truth, and with these words I also ask for the release of these imprisoned journalists.”
“The Church recognises in these witnesses – I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives – the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices”, said Leo XIV, for whom “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.”
“Thank you, dear friends, for your service to the truth”,
the Pope said paying tribute to journalists, at every stage of these days already recorded in the history of the papal transition: “You have been in Rome these past few weeks to report on the Church, its diversity and, at the same time, its unity. You were present during the liturgies of Holy Week and then reported on the sorrow felt over the death of Pope Francis, which nevertheless took place in the light of Easter. That same Easter faith drew us into the spirit of the Conclave, during which you worked long and tiring days. Yet, even on this occasion, you managed to recount the beauty of Christ’s love that unites and makes us one people, guided by the Good Shepherd.”
“We are living in times that are both difficult to navigate and to recount. They present a challenge for all of us but it is one that we should not run away from”, the Holy Father said in his analysis of the world of communication. “On the contrary, they demand that each one of us, in our different roles and services, never give in to mediocrity”,
the course of action for the media: “The Church must face the challenges posed by the times. In the same way, communication and journalism do not exist outside of time and history.” The Pope then quoted from Saint Augustine, who said: “Let us live well and the times will be good. We are the times.” “Thank you, therefore, for what you have done to move beyond stereotypes and clichés through which we often interpret Christian life and the life of the Church itself”, the Pope’s further tribute to journalists: “Thank you because you have captured the essence of who we are and conveyed it to the whole world through every form of media possible.”
“Today, one of the most important challenges is to promote communication that can bring us out of the ‘Tower of Babel’ in which we sometimes find ourselves, out of the confusion of loveless languages that are often ideological or partisan”,
the thesis of Leo XIV: “Your service, with the words you use and the style you adopt, is crucial. As you know, communication is not only the transmission of information, but it is also the creation of a culture, of human and digital environments that become spaces for dialogue and discussion.” “In looking at how technology is developing, this mission becomes ever more necessary”, the Pontiff continued, elaborating further:
“I am thinking in particular of artificial intelligence, with its immense potential, which nevertheless requires responsibility and discernment in order to ensure that it can be used for the good of all, so that it can benefit all of humanity. This responsibility concerns everyone in proportion to his or her age and role in society.”
“Dear friends, we will get to know each other better over time”, the closing greeting. “We have experienced – we can say together – truly special days”, the assessment of Leo XIV: “We have shared them through every form of media: TV, radio, internet, and social media. I sincerely hope that each of us can say that these days unveiled a little bit of the mystery of our humanity and left us with a desire for love and peace.” “For this reason, I repeat to you today the invitation made by Pope Francis in his message for this year’s World Day of Social Communications”, the final recommendation to the representatives of the media:
“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression. We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice. Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world.”
