Pope Leo XIV called for a kinder, gentler mass media, one that speaks up for those with no voice and in defense of free speech, and urged regimes around the world that jail journalists to set them free.

Pope Leo XIV, in his first address to the media, on Monday, urged journalists to focus on reporting the truth instead of engaging in partisan divisions and called for the release of reporters jailed for doing their jobs.

In his first audience with the press, the pontiff renewed his support for a more peaceful world and quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis, who had called for communication that is free from aggression.