Pope Leo XIV has urged journalists to be peacemakers, rejecting prejudice and anger in their reporting. On 12 May, he also called for the release of imprisoned journalists, reminding the world: “The suffering of these journalists challenges the conscience of nations… we must safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.
Award-winning foreign correspondent Peter Greste, who spent 400 days in an Egyptian gaol after being charged with terrorism offences, has told Catholic communications professionals that there needs to be a way of upholding the principles and ethics of journalism in the digital age.
The news conference with updates about the synod — how it will work and what reporters can expect — came just a few days after Pope Francis had told journalists aboard his flight from Mongolia that the discussions at the assembly of the Synod of Bishops 4 to 29 October will not be open to the public or to reporters to “safeguard the synodal climate.”
Outgoing Press Secretary for Archbishop Hickey Hugh Ryan said that working for Archbishop Hickey has been the highlight of his career.