RECALLING the annual World Press Freedom Day celebrated on May 3rd, Pope Leo XIV remembered the many journalists and reporters who have become victims due to wars and violence.
Following the recitation of Sunday’s Regina Caeli, the Pope remarked that unfortunately, freedom of the press is often violated, sometimes blatantly and other times in subtle ways.
“Let us remember the many journalists and reporters who have fallen victim to wars and violence,” he said.
UNESCO notes that fostering access to reliable information, accountability, dialogue, and trust, press freedom and independent journalism can offer key contributions to peace, economic recovery, sustainable development, and human rights.
The UN organization warned in its World Trends Report 2022–2025 that press freedom has experienced its steepest decline since 2012 – a decline comparable to that seen during the most unstable periods of the 20th century, including the two world wars and the Cold War.
UNESCO further warned that information manipulation and the use of AI by malicious actors are endangering trust and national security.
Noting that these matters can be addressed, UNESCO says that World Press Freedom Day 2026 offers a critical moment to reaffirm the importance of freedom of the press.
Pope Leo also greeted the various groups present in Saint Peter’s Square for the Sunday blessing, including representatives of Italy’s “Meter” association, which for over thirty years has worked to defend minors from the scourge of abuse. He thanked them for their work.
Looking ahead to later in the week, the Holy See Press Office confirmed that Pope Leo XIV will meet U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, on May 7 at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace.
The two had already met a year ago, on May 18, 2025, following the Mass marking the official beginning of the Pope’s pontificate.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance also greeted the Pope during the same event, and a bilateral meeting took place the following day between Pope Leo XIV and both Vance and Rubio.
In a separate audience, the Pope met on Monday with members of the Board of Directors of Catholic Charities USA, the American member of Caritas Internationalis, the Church’s charitable outfit.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV recognised that personal and institutional difficulties often confront those who seek to proclaim the Gospel through caring for the poor and most in need.
“These include finding sufficient resources, demonstrating to others that this type of service is an integral part of authentic Christian living, and not giving way to discouragement, particularly when we meet those whom we cannot help in the way that we would like,” he said.
The Pope noted that Catholic Charities USA is “by no means immune from these challenges,” yet added, “It is precisely when we are confronted with such obstacles that we must learn to hear Jesus’ voice saying to us once more, ‘I am with you always!’”
In late March 2026, the U.S. government cut funding to a program run by the Archdiocese of Miami, which had provided services for unaccompanied minors for decades. Pope Leo went on to encourage the “worthy efforts” of Catholic Charities USA to carry on the Lord’s ministry of compassion, especially to the least among us.
Recalling that love for neighbour offers tangible proof of a Christian’s authentic love for God, the Pope said Catholic charitable workers must be driven by “the desire to bring to others material aid with the love of the heart of Jesus.”
As they assist the less fortunate, he added, Catholic Charities comes into contact with the flesh of Christ.
Pope Leo XIV encouraged the board to recognise that Christ’s Resurrection “makes all things new” and to allow the organisation’s work to be guided by the hope of Easter.
“I offer good wishes for your noble mission,” he said, “and assure you and all of your colleagues of a remembrance in my prayers.”
