On World Press Freedom Day, Pope honours journalists killed in war zones

The pope urged the rememberance of journalists who lost their lives pursuing the truth, particularly in conflict areas.Pope Leo has marked World Press Freedom Day ⁠by condemning ⁠violations of media freedom around the world and paying tribute to journalists killed while reporting in ⁠conflict zones.At the end of his weekly Sunday prayer in a sunny Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, the pontiff ⁠said the day highlighted both the importance of independent journalism and the growing threats faced by reporters.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4World’s top media outlets urge Israel to allow independent access to Gazalist 2 of 4Pope Leo says he does not fear Trump after attack over Iran peace appeallist 3 of 4Pope Leo decries world ruled by ‘tyrants’ after Trump attackslist 4 of 4Pope decries migrants and refugees being treated ‘worse than house pets’end of list“Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day … unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ‌ways, sometimes in more hidden forms,” he said.World Press Freedom Day, ⁠sponsored by the UN cultural agency UNESCO is intended to show support for media organisations that come under ⁠pressure or censorship. It is also an opportunity to commemorate journalists who have been killed at work.The Roman Catholic leader urged the faithful to remember journalists and reporters who have lost their lives pursuing the truth, particularly in conflict areas.“We remember the many journalists and reporters who have been victims of war and violence,” ⁠the pope said.A report last month by the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs’ Costs of War project found that Israel’s war on Gaza was the deadliest conflict for media workers ever recorded, with Israeli forces having killed 232 Palestinian journalists since October 2023.More journalists have been killed in Gaza than in both world wars, the Vietnam War, the wars in Yugoslavia, and the United States war in Afghanistan combined, the report found.