Pope Leo XIV urged journalists to report on war with truth and responsibility, warning that the media must never turn conflict into entertainment or propaganda. The appeal came during a meeting with journalists from the Italian public broadcaster RAI and the editorial team of its TG2 news program at the Vatican on March 16, 2026, marking the program’s 50th anniversary.
Reflecting on the role of the media during times of conflict, the Holy Father stressed that journalists must carefully verify the news so they do not become a “mouthpiece for those in power.” In today’s dramatic circumstances of war, he said, the mission of journalists is urgent, delicate, and essential for society.
The pope also encouraged reporters to reveal the true reality of war by showing the suffering experienced by civilians and victims. Journalists, he said, must portray the human face of conflict and recount events through the eyes of those who suffer so that war is never reduced to something resembling a “video game.”
Reflecting on the evolution of television journalism, the Holy Father noted the transition from analog to digital systems while emphasizing that no technological innovation can replace creativity, critical discernment, and freedom of thought in the search for truth.
Addressing the growing influence of artificial intelligence, the pope urged communicators to regulate technology according to a human-centered approach, reminding journalists that authentic communication requires openness to reality, dialogue, and respect for the dignity of every person.