Pope Leo XIV on Sunday marked May 3, World Press Freedom Day, in St Peter’s Square, recalling journalists killed by war and warning that press freedom is increasingly violated worldwide. Speaking after the Regina Coeli, he linked the issue to Christian witness, stating that “fraternity and peace are our calling” in a world marked by conflict and restriction.

Addressing pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square, the Pope said that the right to report freely is “often violated – sometimes blatantly, sometimes in more subtle ways”, and urged remembrance of “the many journalists and reporters who have fallen victim to wars and violence”. His remarks coincide with mounting international concern over media conditions. According to the Reporters Without Borders 2026 index, global press freedom has reached its lowest level in more than two decades, with more than half of countries classified as facing “difficult” or “very serious” conditions.

The annual observance, promoted by UNESCO since 1993, has frequently been used by recent pontiffs to highlight threats to truth-telling and human dignity. Pope Francis repeatedly condemned what he termed the “culture of disinformation” and the targeting of journalists in conflict zones, while Pope Benedict XVI warned of the ethical responsibilities tied to modern communications. The Vatican itself has a long history of engagement with media, dating back to the establishment of *L’Osservatore Romano* in 1861 and Vatican Radio in 1931 under Pope Pius XI.

The Pope’s appeal comes amid ongoing conflicts where journalists have been killed or detained, including in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza and parts of Africa, where both state and non-state actors have imposed restrictions on reporting. International watchdogs have also pointed to economic pressures and legal intimidation as contributing factors to declining press independence.

In his catechesis preceding the Marian prayer, Leo reflected on the Gospel passage from the Last Supper, emphasising Christ’s promise of a place for all in the Father’s house. He contrasted what he described as a world driven by exclusion and competition with the Christian vision of universal dignity and openness. “God has a place for everyone,” he said, adding that faith frees individuals from anxieties tied to status and possession.

The address also marked the beginning of the Marian month of May, traditionally dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Pope encouraged the recitation of the Rosary and entrusted intentions for “communion within the Church and peace in the world” to her intercession, a practice widely observed in Catholic communities since at least the 18th century and promoted strongly during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII.

Following the Regina Coeli, Leo greeted international pilgrims, including groups from Spain, the United States, Malaysia and Peru, and acknowledged the work of the Meter Association, which supports abuse victims and prevention efforts. His remarks placed the remembrance of fallen journalists within a broader call for peace, solidarity and moral responsibility in public life. This comes in the wake of the 2022 decision to canonise St Titus Brandsma and name him patron saint of Catholic journalists.