Pope Leo XIV's 12 Points for Media

Dominus Est
May 12
2 min read

Delivered at his first audience with journalists and media

by Fr. Genesis Pacaldo Labana, OSA

On the fourth day of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV held his first audience and met the journalists coming from around the world who had been following the happenings in the Vatican for the past days. From the death to the funeral of Pope Francis and until his election on May 8, 2025.

Thousands of journalists came to Rome and had been gathered at Pope Paul VI hall to have a closer encounter with him.

As students of communications at the University of Santa Croce we were also given the chance to be part of his first audience.

Our Facoltà di Comunicazione Istituzionale - Università della Santa Croce has a partnership with the Vatican Press for our internship program.

He delivered a message to all of them and here are some important things to note.

“Blessed are the peacemakers” (Mt 5:9)… particularly relevant to you, calling each one of you to strive for a different kind of communication… that never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.”
“Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression.”
“We do not need loud, forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.”

Pope Leo XIV with media journalists. Dominus Est. Photo by Fr Genesis Labana OSA. Robert Prevost

Pope Leo XIV has his first audience with journalists and media. Photo by Fr. Genesis Labana, OSA

“Disarmed and disarming communication allows us to share a different view of the world and to act in a manner consistent with our human dignity.”
“I ask you to choose consciously and courageously the path of communication in favour of peace.”
“The Church recognises in these witnesses… the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices.”
“The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations… calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press.”
“You are at the forefront of reporting on conflicts and aspirations for peace, on situations of injustice and poverty, and on the silent work of so many people striving to create a better world.”
“Communication is not only the transmission of information, but it is also the creation of a culture, of human and digital environments that become spaces for dialogue and discussion.”
“Thank you… for moving beyond stereotypes and clichés… and capturing the essence of who we are, conveying it to the whole world through every form of media possible.”
“Your service, with the words you use and the style you adopt, is crucial.”
“Saint Augustine reminds us of this when he said, ‘Let us live well, and the times will be good. We are the times’ (Discourse 311)."