Jubilee: Pope Highlights Plight of Jailed Journalists

Vatican City: Pope Francis highlighted the plight of jailed journalists and called for press freedom to be respected in his speech to participants at the Jubilee of the World of Communication event for the Holy Year in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Saturday. “I want to remember all those who are imprisoned just for having been faithful to the profession of journalist, photographer, video operator, for having wanted to go and see with their own eyes and having tried to tell what they saw,” the Argentine pontiff said.

According to Ansa News Agency, Pope Francis noted the significant number of journalists unjustly imprisoned and urged global leaders to facilitate their release. He emphasized that the freedom of journalists is interconnected with the freedom of all individuals, asserting, “May a ‘door’ also be opened for them through which they can return to freedom, because the freedom of journalists increases the freedom of all of us.”

During his address, Francis also urged for the defense and safeguarding of press freedom and freedom of thought, stressing the importance of maintaining the fundamental right to be informed. He described free, responsible, and correct information as a crucial heritage that must be preserved and promoted. The Pope warned against the dangers of losing the ability to distinguish truth from lies, highlighting the risks of increasing prejudices and polarizations that can disrupt civil harmony and hinder the rebuilding of fraternity.