The new Pope has asked journalists to gather “the voices of the weak who have no voice”.
Leo XIV spoke passionately to a huge crowd of invited reporters and dignitaries inside the Vatican yesterday in his first news conference.
At the start he quipped that he hoped everyone would “stay awake to the end” of his speech.
He said: “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.
Disarm “Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world. 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.
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“We are living in times that are both difficult to navigate and to recount. They present a challenge for all of us.”
He was interrupted several times with applause, cheers and chants of “Viva Papa”. Thousands crammed into a huge auditorium to hear the new American pontiff.
The hall is located right next to the lodgings he stayed in until he was elected on Thursday.
Speaking in front of The Resurrection sculpture in the Paul VI Audience Hall, he urged the assembled press to say no to the war of words and images.
The Pope also reiterated the Church’s solidarity with imprisoned journalists “seeking the truth” and demanded their release.
Injustice He told reporters: “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.
“For this reason, I ask you to choose courageously the path of communication in favour of peace.”
In his first Sunday blessing the pontiff called for peace in the war in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Pope Leo will now be formally inaugurated at a mass in St Peter’s Square on Saturday. The King will be represented by Prince Edward.
President Donald Trump has tried to claim credit for the election of an American pope, despite having nothing to do with his selection.
Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, Pope Leo was born in Chicago.
It comes after Mr Trump said that he should be Pope and angered some Catholics by sharing an AI-generated picture of himself in the role.