The way we communicate is of fundamental importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war,” Pope Leo told members of the media on Monday.

In his first address to international media on Monday, Pope Leo XIV thanked journalists for their service to the truth and for communicating peace in difficult times.

In his first audience with journalists as the pontiff, Leo renewed pleas for a more peaceful world. He also spoke to Ukraine’s president on Monday.