- Leo XIV appeals for responsible journalism amid rising fake news and AI misuse
- Emphasises the media’s role in preserving societal cohesion and democratic integrity
- Calls for protection of journalists and emphasises truthfulness in digital communication
Pope Leo XIV has issued an appeal to the global news industry to put truth before clicks, warning that sensationalism undermines public trust and corrodes democracy. Speaking at a conference organised by Minds International – a coalition that includes major news agencies such as Reuters – the Pope urged journalists to resist “the degrading practice of so-called clickbait” and to “never sell out your authority.”
The Pope’s remarks emphasised journalism as a cornerstone of democratic life and social cohesion. “Communication must be freed from the misguided thinking that corrupts it,” he said, describing truth-telling as a moral and civic duty in an era of manipulation and division.
He drew on the ideas of the political theorist Hannah Arendt, warning that lies have long been used to control societies. The spread of misinformation, he said, serves those “who aim to rule by dividing peoples.” Paying tribute to journalists covering wars in Ukraine and Gaza, he honoured those who have died in pursuit of truth and called for the release of 361 reporters currently imprisoned worldwide. “The work of informing the public must never be criminalised,” he said.
Pope Leo’s comments carry added resonance as the first American-born pontiff. A former missionary in Peru, he has made media ethics a central theme of his early papacy, urging communicators to promote peace and avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
He also addressed the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism, warning that AI could flood society with “junk” information and blur the line between truth and fiction. “We are not destined to live in a world where truth is no longer distinguishable from fiction,” he said, calling for greater oversight of who controls AI systems and how they are used.
The speech builds on the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who denounced fake news and media sensationalism as “a social sickness.” Both Popes, the report notes, see truthful communication as essential to justice and democracy.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/religion-and-belief/pope-urges-news-media-not-to-sell-out-for-click-bait-c-20295596 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/pope-leo-urges-news-outlets-not-sell-out-click-bait-2025-10-09/ – Pope Leo XIV addressed global news agencies, urging them to resist prioritising ‘click-bait’ content over truthful reporting. He emphasised the degradation of communication by sensationalism and misinformation, encouraging journalists to uphold their authority and act as a safeguard against divisive falsehoods. The Pope also expressed gratitude to reporters covering conflict zones such as Ukraine and Gaza, acknowledging their courage and the crucial role they play in informing the public. He highlighted the risks they face and reiterated his call for the release of jailed journalists. Addressing the integration of artificial intelligence in journalism, Pope Leo warned against its potential to spread ‘junk’ information, stressing the need for vigilance to maintain the human element in truthful communication and to help audiences discern fact from fiction.
- https://apnews.com/article/c826e0567122d6fa7c094850787c1a39 – Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, delivered a strong message in support of press freedom during a speech to international news agency executives from MINDS International at the Vatican. Emphasising the vital role of journalism, he condemned manipulation, post-truth narratives, and the ‘ancient art of lying,’ highlighting the need for truthful, objective reporting, especially amid global conflicts like those in Gaza and Ukraine. He reaffirmed journalism as a fundamental right and pillar of democracy, calling for the release of imprisoned journalists and asserting that their work must never be criminalised. The Pope urged media outlets to safeguard their integrity, referencing Hannah Arendt’s insights on totalitarianism and the danger of blurring fact with fiction. Acknowledging the current economic and technological challenges, including the rise of AI, Pope Leo called on news organisations to remain steadfast defenders of truth and human dignity.
- https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-urges-media-end-divisiveness-calls-release-jailed-reporters-2025-05-12/ – In his first public address to the media on May 12, 2025, Pope Leo XIV emphasised the importance of truthful journalism and called for an end to divisive reporting. Speaking before thousands of journalists at the Vatican, he urged the media to reject inflammatory language and imagery, promoting unity instead. Pope Leo also strongly advocated for the release of the 361 journalists reportedly imprisoned worldwide for their work, highlighting the necessity of protecting free speech and press freedom. He stressed the ethical use of artificial intelligence in journalism, urging that it be employed for the benefit of all humanity. This address marked the first major public appearance of Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost and the first U.S.-born pope, who was elected on May 8 following the death of Pope Francis. Though relatively unknown internationally, Pope Leo brings experience from his missionary work in Peru. He addressed the gathering primarily in Italian, starting with a light-hearted remark in English to connect with the audience.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38244274 – Pope Francis has condemned disinformation as ‘probably the greatest damage that the media can do’. His comments come amid warnings of a ‘fake news’ crisis in online media following last month’s US elections. Social media platforms and search engines were widely criticised in the poll’s aftermath for failing to prevent the spread of fabricated stories. The Pope himself fell victim to a fake news story, which falsely reported his endorsement of Donald Trump. In a frank interview with Belgian Catholic weekly Tertio, the pontiff said the media’s obsession with scandal was akin to ‘coprophilia’, an abnormal interest in excrement. This preyed on people’s ‘tendency towards the sickness of coprophagia’, the eating of excrement, he added, extending the analogy to apply it to the public’s consumption of such coverage. People could not be expected to make ‘a serious judgment’ about any situation if the media provided ‘only a part of the truth, and not the rest’, he said.
- https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-05/pope-leo-xiv-media-professionals-audience-conclave.html – Only four days have passed since his election to the papacy, and Pope Leo XIV made it a point to hold an audience with the men and women who were in Rome to report on the death of Pope Francis, the conclave, and the first days of his own ministry. He met on Monday with media professionals in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, and thanked reporters in Italian for their tireless work over these intense few weeks. The newly-elected Pope began his remarks with a call for communication to foster peace by caring for how people and events are presented. He invited media professionals to promote a different kind of communication, one that ‘does not seek consensus at all costs, does not use aggressive words, does not follow the culture of competition, and never separates the search for truth from the love with which we must humbly seek it.’
- https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/24/world/pope-condemns-fake-news/index.html – Pope Francis released a message condemning ‘fake news,’ saying that it’s a ‘sign of intolerant and hypersensitive attitudes, and leads only to the spread of arrogance and hatred.’ The Vatican says the message is part of the Pope’s World Communications Day, but some at St. Peter’s Square say the Pope was probably sending a message to Donald Trump and other world leaders who have been using the phrase ‘fake news.’ The tragic history of human sin, the Pope says in his message, is the first ‘fake news’ and it dates back to the book of Genesis, when the ‘crafty serpent’ lied to the woman. In present day, according to the Pope’s message the fast digital world helps fuel the spread of ‘fake news’ – which he defines as ‘the spreading of disinformation on line or in the traditional media.’
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being today, October 9, 2025. The report is based on a press release from Reuters, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to Pope Leo XIV in the narrative do not appear in earlier material. No identical quotes were found in previous publications, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Reuters, a reputable news agency, enhancing its reliability. The report is consistent with the Vatican’s official communications, as evidenced by the Pope’s address to media representatives on May 12, 2025. ([vatican.va](https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250512-media.html?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims made in the narrative are plausible and align with known events. Pope Leo XIV has previously addressed the media, emphasizing the importance of truthful journalism and condemning divisive reporting. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/pope-urges-media-end-divisiveness-calls-release-jailed-reporters-2025-05-12/?utm_source=openai)) The tone and language used are consistent with the Pope’s known communication style.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, originating from a reputable source, and presents plausible claims consistent with known events and the Pope’s communication style. No significant issues were identified in the fact-checking process.
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