The pope underscored the role of journalism as a public good, declaring that in today’s information-saturated world, “no one can say, ‘I did not know.’”
Newsroom (09/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) On October 9, 2025, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful address to MINDS International, a global network of leading news agencies, lauding journalists who risk their lives to report the truth and urging media professionals to uphold integrity in an era plagued by misinformation and conflict. Speaking at a time of global crises, the pontiff underscored the indispensable role of journalism as a public good, declaring that in today’s information-saturated world, “no one can say, ‘I did not know.’”
Honoring Journalists on the Front Lines
Pope Leo opened his address by paying tribute to journalists working in perilous conditions, particularly in conflict zones. “If today we know what is happening in Gaza, Ukraine, and every other land bloodied by bombs, we largely owe it to them,” he said. Describing their work as “extraordinary eyewitness accounts,” he praised the daily efforts of countless reporters who ensure that information remains untainted by manipulation for political or ideological ends. Their sacrifices, he emphasized, demand recognition and a commitment from their peers to maintain the highest standards of truth and human dignity.
The pontiff’s remarks come amid escalating global tensions and a growing crisis in the media industry, where economic pressures and disinformation threaten the integrity of journalism. He highlighted the paradox of an “age of communication” where news agencies face existential challenges, and audiences struggle to distinguish truth from falsehood. Yet, he insisted, the availability of information eliminates excuses for ignorance, placing a moral responsibility on both journalists and the public to prioritize truth.
Journalism Is Not a Crime
Reiterating a long-standing papal appeal, Pope Leo called for the release of journalists unjustly detained or persecuted, asserting, “Doing the work of a journalist can never be considered a crime. It is a right that must be protected.” He condemned efforts to suppress or manipulate information for political or ideological gain, urging media professionals to remain steadfast in their vocation. “Your service requires competence, courage, and a sense of ethics,” he said, acknowledging the pressures journalists face in environments hostile to free reporting.
The pope’s defense of journalistic freedom aligns with his broader vision, articulated in his recent Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, which calls for solidarity with the marginalized and a rejection of systems that obscure truth or perpetuate injustice. By framing journalism as a right, he positions it as a cornerstone of human dignity and civic responsibility.
Information as a Public Good
Pope Leo described information as “a public good” that demands responsible stewardship through collaboration between journalists and citizens. He envisioned a “virtuous circle” where public support for independent, rigorous journalism strengthens civic life. This partnership, he argued, is critical at a time when global events—from wars to humanitarian crises—require “particular discernment and responsibility.” The media’s role in shaping consciences and fostering critical thinking, he noted, is both essential and increasingly threatened.
Quoting his predecessor, Pope Francis, the pontiff called for “courageous entrepreneurs, courageous information engineers” to counter the degradation of communication through clickbait, disinformation, and unfair competition. He urged news agencies to balance economic sustainability with a commitment to accurate, balanced reporting, warning that the erosion of ethical standards undermines the public’s trust and the media’s societal role.
The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence
Addressing the rise of artificial intelligence, Pope Leo introduced a note of caution, questioning, “Who controls the algorithms, who directs it, and for what purposes?” As AI increasingly shapes how information is curated and delivered, he called for vigilance to ensure that human values remain central and that control over digital tools does not concentrate in the hands of a few. This concern reflects broader anxieties about technology’s impact on truth and accountability, a theme consistent with the Church’s ongoing engagement with modernity’s ethical challenges.
Defending Truth in a Post-Truth World
In a striking reference to Hannah Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism, Pope Leo warned that the ideal subject of totalitarian regimes is not the ideologue but someone for whom “the distinction between fact and fiction, and the distinction between true and false no longer exist.” In such a “post-truth” world, journalists serve as a “bulwark of civility,” countering divisive lies with patient, rigorous work. “You can act as a barrier against those who, through the ancient art of lying, seek to create divisions in order to rule by dividing,” he said, framing journalism as a moral and societal defense against manipulation.
The pontiff concluded by reiterating the need for transparency, accountability, and objectivity in the communications sector. “The world needs free, rigorous, and objective information,” he declared, urging journalists to remain steadfast in their mission despite mounting challenges.
A Call Rooted in Moral Urgency
Pope Leo’s address complements the themes of Dilexi Te, where he emphasized the Church’s duty to denounce unjust structures and amplify the voices of the marginalized. By honoring journalists who risk their lives to report on conflicts and injustices, he aligns their work with the Christian call to bear witness to truth and serve the common good. His message serves as both a tribute to their courage and a challenge to the global media to uphold its vocation as a guardian of truth in an era of unprecedented complexity.
As the pontiff concluded, his words resonated as a clarion call: in an age where information is ubiquitous, ignorance is no longer an excuse. The responsibility to know—and to act on that knowledge—falls on journalists and citizens alike, united in the pursuit of a more just and truthful world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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