Pope Leo calls for end to polarising 'war of words' in address to media

Speaking in Vatican City to thousands of members of the media, he said "we are living in times that are both difficult to navigate and to recount" - adding they present a "challenge for all of us", but it is one "we should not run away from".

"I repeat to you today the invitation made by Pope Francis in his message for this year's World Day of Social Communications: let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred.

"Let us free it from aggression," he said.

"Disarmed and disarming communication allows us to share a different view of the world and to act in a manner consistent with our human dignity," the Pope added.

Leo opened the meeting with a few words in English, before turning to Italian and thanking journalists for covering the conclave and his historic election.

Urging them to use words of peace, he said: "Peace begins with each one of us: in the way we look at others, listen to others and speak about others.

"In this sense, 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."

The 69-year-old pontiff made history when he was elected as the first US pope last Thursday following a two-day conclave.

During his audience on Monday, the Pope, who spent many years in Peru as a missionary, expressed solidarity with imprisoned journalists and affirmed the "precious gift of free speech and the press".

Drawing applause from the crowd, he asked for their release.

"The church recognises in these witnesses - I am thinking of those who report on war even at the cost of their lives - the courage of those who defend dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed, because only informed individuals can make free choices," he said.

"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."

Leo also addressed artificial intelligence, saying it had to be used with "responsibility and discernment".

It comes after his first Sunday address since his election as pontiff, where Pope Leo appealed to crowds in St Peter's Square for "no more war".

Recalling the end of the Second World War, Leo quoted his predecessor, Francis, as he denounced the number of ongoing conflicts as "a third world in pieces".

The Pope also called for an "authentic and lasting peace" in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all Israeli hostages.

-SKY NEWS