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Pope Leo the Vatican marked World Press Freedom Day, denouncing ongoing violations of media freedom around the world and honoring the memory of journalists killed reporting from conflict zones.
In a speech he delivered at the end of the weekly Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope said that this day highlights the importance of independent journalism and the increasing threats facing journalists.
He said, “Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day… Unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ways, and sometimes in more subtle forms.”
The Pope urged church followers to remember the journalists and reporters who lost their lives while seeking the truth, especially in areas witnessing conflict.
“We remember many journalists and correspondents who fell victims of war and violence,” he said.
World Press Freedom Day, sponsored by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and observed on May 3 every year, aims to show support for media organizations that are subject to pressure or censorship, and to commemorate journalists who have died in the line of duty.
