Summary

  • Pope Leo XIV demands the release of imprisoned journalists in the first news conference of his pontificate

  • Addressing the world's media in Vatican City, he says he reiterates the Church's solidarity with them for "seeking the truth"

  • He also calls for "the precious gift of free speech" to be safeguarded, and adds: "Let us disarm words...so we can disarm the world"

  • Pope Leo was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday following the death of his predecessor, Pope Francis, and a two-day conclave in the Vatican

Pope calls for release of imprisoned journalists

Live Reporting

Edited by Emily Atkinson

  1. Pope preaches importance of communication

    Josh McMinn
    Live reporter

    Pope Leo gives news conferenceReuters

    Pope Leo has just finished his news conference in Vatican City, during which he emphasised the importance of careful communication "in favour of peace".

    He urged the assembled press to say no to the "war" of words and images, and he reiterated the Church's solidarity with imprisoned journalists "seeking the truth" and asked for their release.

    Concluding his address, he quoted his predecessor, Pope Francis:

    "Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred. Let us free it from aggression.

    "We do no need loud forceful communication, but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.

    "Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world."

    We're ending our live coverage now. You can read more about the first days of Pope Leo's pontificate here.

  2. Pope Leo speaks to world's media - follow live

    Pope Leo XIV has begun his news conference in the Vatican's Paul VI Assembly Hall.

    Follow along by tapping the watch live button above.

    As a reminder, there will be no regular text updates on this page.

  3. Who is the new Pope Leo XIV?

    Robert Francis Prevost, has become the 267th occupant of the throne of St Peter and he will be known as Leo XIV.

    Born in Chicago in 1955, he is the first American to fill the role of Pope, but he is considered as much a cardinal from Latin America because of the many years he spent as a missionary in Peru.

    By choosing Leo as his papal name, the Pope has signalled a commitment to dynamic social issues, according to experts. The last Leo to hold the position "was pontiff at a time of epic upheaval in the world, the time of the industrial revolution, the beginning of Marxism, and widespread immigration", according to Archbishop Sean Patrick O'Malley.

    Despite this commitment to social justice, some commentators have raised concerns over the new Pope's failure to investigate sexual abuse cases during his time as Bishop of Chiclayo.

    Robert prevost in red vestments as a cardinal, facing off-camera, with a crowd of cardinals behind him.EPA

    Robert Prevost as a cardinal, before his election to Pope last week

  4. Pope Leo calls for no more war in first Sunday address

    The Pope gave his first Sunday address as pontiff yesterday, in which he called for and end to current conflicts.

    Pope Leo called for a "lasting peace" in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday's agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.

    Also this weekend, the Pope visited the tomb of his predecessor, Francis, and vowed to continue his "precious legacy".

  5. Pope Leo to give news conference - watch and follow live

    Pope Leo gestures as he speaks into a microphone from a balconyEPA

    For his first Sunday address, Pope Leo restricted himself to echoing his predecessor, Francis, in calling for peace

    Pope Leo XIV is set to give the first news conference of his pontificate, a day after his inaugural Sunday address.

    Reflecting on current conflicts, he yesterday called for "no more war" in a message to world powers - more on this shortly.

    He's due to speak to members of the media at 10:55 local time (09:55 BST, 08:55 GMT) in the Vatican's Paul VI Assembly Hall.

    There will be no regular text updates, but you can follow his conference in full by tapping watch live at the top of the page.

    Stay with us.