Pope Leo XIV Pays Tribute to Journalists Killed in War

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, commemorates World Press Freedom Day by condemning violations of press freedom around the world and remembering journalists who have died while covering conflicts.

During the weekly Regina Coeli prayer in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of independent journalism in the face of mounting threats against media workers. "Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day … unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ‌ways, sometimes in more hidden forms," he said, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Supported by UNESCO, World Press Freedom Day aims to show solidarity with media organizations facing pressure or censorship and to honor journalists who have fallen in the line of duty.

Pope Leo XIV also urged the public to remember journalists who have become victims of violence, especially in conflict areas. "We remember the many journalists and reporters who have been victims of war and violence," he said.

Attention to the safety of journalists intensified after a report by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs revealed that the conflict in Gaza became the most deadly for media workers ever recorded. Since October 2023, a total of 232 Palestinian journalists have been reported to have died in the conflict.

The report also mentioned that the number of journalists killed in Gaza exceeded the total casualties in several previous major conflicts, including World War II, the Vietnam War, the conflict in Yugoslavia, and the U.S. war in Afghanistan.

On various previous occasions, Pope Leo XIV referred to journalism as an important pillar of society and democracy. He also emphasized that information is in the public interest and must be protected. He has also frequently called for the release of journalists who are unjustly detained.

Meanwhile, Reporters Without Borders, a press freedom organization, reported that global press freedom is currently at its lowest point in 25 years. For the first time since the index was released in 2002, more than half of the world's countries are categorized as "difficult" or "very serious" in terms of press freedom. This is seen as a sign that journalism is becoming more criminalized around the world.

Read: Press Freedom Declines as Attacks on Journalists Rise, UNESCO Says

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