At Regina Caeli, Pope denounces frequent violation of press freedom

On the day promoted by UNESCO, the Pope remembers reporters who have fallen victim to war. In May, he calls for the recitation of the Rosary for unity within the Church and peace in the world.

Vatican (AsiaNews) - “The right to freedom of the press is often violated, sometimes in a blatant manner, sometimes covertly. Let us remember the many journalists and reporters who have fallen victim to war and violence.” This was the appeal launched today by Pope Leo XIV as he addressed the faithful at the conclusion of the Regina Caeli Marian prayer on the day UNESCO dedicates to freedom of the press.

At the beginning of May, the Pope invited everyone to experience the joy of gathering to pray the Rosary, “in particular for communion within the Church and peace in the world”.

In his reflection on today’s Gospel before the Regina Caeli prayer, Pope Leo XIV focused on the “home” that Jesus promises his disciples after his resurrection. “In the old world in which we are still journeying, what attracts attention are exclusive places, experiences accessible to few, the privilege of entering where no one else can. Instead, in the new world to which the Risen One leads us, what is most valuable is accessible to all. Yet this does not make it any less attractive. On the contrary, what is open to all now brings joy: gratitude takes the place of competition; welcome erases exclusion; abundance no longer entails inequality. Above all, no one is confused with anyone else, no one is lost. Death threatens to erase one’s name and memory, but in God everyone is finally themselves.”

Already last night, Pope Leo had issued a strong appeal in the homily he delivered during the ordination of four new auxiliary bishops for the Diocese of Rome, which he presided over in the Basilica of St John Lateran. Commenting on an image from Scripture proposed by today’s liturgy, he had said: “one becomes a stone rejected by men and chosen by God: when, through one’s life and words, one opposes plans that crush the weak, fail to respect the dignity of every person, and use conflict to select the strongest, whilst neglecting those left behind, those who cannot cope, regarding those who succumb as the rubbish of history. Jesus walked among us as an unarmed and disarming prophet, and when he was cast aside, he did not change his ways.”

Hence the invitation addressed to the new auxiliary bishops of Rome: “I encourage you,” the Pope concluded, “to reach out to the rejected stones of this city and to proclaim to them that in Christ, our cornerstone, no one is excluded from becoming an active part of the holy edifice that is the Church and of the brotherhood among human beings.”