VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Monday called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press” in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV called for journalists to use words of peace, to reject war and to give a voice to the voiceless.

"To be called 'woke' in a world that sleeps through suffering is no insult - it is Gospel," a meme featuring the quote read.