VATICAN CITY, May 12, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Pope Leo XIV on Monday offered solidarity with journalists jailed "for seeking and reporting the truth" and called for their release, in his first audience with members of the media.

"The suffering of these imprisoned journalists challenges the conscience of nations and the international community, calling on all of us to safeguard the precious gift of free speech and of the press," said the pontiff, who became head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics last week.