Pope Leo dishes advice to journalists, mentions AI challenge in first news conference

Pope Leo XIV  wrapped up his archetypal gathering with Vatican-accredited journalists Monday morning.

More than 1,000 members of the media were assembled to perceive his remarks, according to the New York Times. Some of them adjacent took their children.

The gathering took spot successful the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, Vatican Media reported. There, the pontiff "thanked reporters successful Italian for their tireless enactment implicit these aggravated fewer weeks." 

"Let america disarm connection of each prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and adjacent hatred," the pope told the assemblage of reporters. "Let america disarm words, and we volition assistance disarm the world."

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Pope Leo XIV arrives arsenic helium meets members of the planetary media successful the Paul VI Hall astatine the Vatican connected Monday, May 12, 2025.  (Domenico Stinellis)

The 69-year-old called for the merchandise of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the "precious acquisition of escaped code and the press," the Associated Press reported.

He expressed solidarity with journalists astir the world who person been jailed for trying to question and study the truth. Drawing applause from the crowd, helium asked for their release.

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Pope Leo XIV prays implicit members of the planetary media successful the Paul VI Hall astatine the Vatican connected May 12, 2025.  (Domenico Stinellis)

"The church recognizes successful these witnesses — I americium reasoning of those who study connected warfare adjacent astatine the outgo of their lives — the courageousness of those who support dignity, justness and the close of radical to beryllium informed, due to the fact that lone informed individuals tin marque escaped choices," helium said.

The pontiff besides told the journalists they indispensable enactment responsibly successful utilizing artificial quality successful their work, asking them to "ensure that it tin beryllium utilized for the bully of all, truthful that it tin payment each of humanity."

A ample fig of planetary writer met with Pope Leo XIV astatine the Vatican connected Monday, May 12, 2025. (Domenico Stinellis)

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The pope spoke chiefly successful Italian, but opened with a gag successful English astir the lasting ovation helium received.

"Thank you for this fantastic reception," helium said. "They accidental that erstwhile they clap astatine the beginning, it doesn't substance much. If you're inactive awake astatine the extremity and inactive privation to applaud, convey you precise much."

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.