Pope Leo XIV has given a clear message in defense of media freedom, following recent tensions at the White House, where the Trump administration has attempted to limit access to some journalists.
Aboard the papal plane, en route from Rome to Paris, a CNN correspondent asked the Pope about the difficulties some media outlets have encountered in recent days with the White House. The Chicago-born Pope responded briefly but meaningfully:
"I'm very happy that you're all here. I think it's very important to have good journalistic coverage and for it to be everywhere, for everyone."
During the brief greeting to the over 80 journalists accompanying him on the flight, Leone XIV also apologized for not being able to hold a press conference on the return from Spain, due to a technical problem with the plane.
The Pope also spoke about artificial intelligence, saying that the Vatican commission is in contact with major leaders in the sector and that the dialogue aims to ensure that AI does not become a threat to humanity, but a tool at the service of man.
Asked about the crisis in Ceuta, where thousands of migrants from Morocco have attempted to enter the Spanish enclave, the Pope said in Spanish that he has been following the situation since day one and called it "a true humanitarian crisis."
On the eve of his visit to France, Leo XIV said that his main message would be a call for peace in the world.
