Pope Leo Calls Journalists to Be Antennae for the Voiceless in a Polarized World

Vatican, Jan 22, 2025: In a strong appeal to journalists working in Catholic media, Pope Leo urged communicators to become “antennae” in an increasingly polarized world—attentive listeners who amplify the voices of the weak, the marginalized, and those suffering in silence.

In a message addressed to the French Catholic Media Federation on the occasion of the 29th Days of St. Francis de Sales, held in Lourdes from January 21 to 23, the Pope called on journalists to resist division and indifference by placing human suffering, peace-building, and solidarity at the heart of communication.

Signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and released on January 21, the message emphasized the moral responsibility of media professionals in a fractured global context. “In a fragmented and polarized world,” the Pope said, journalists are called to “pick up and relay what the weak, the marginalized, the lonely, and those longing to feel loved are experiencing.”

The Pope underlined that Catholic communicators must not merely report events but listen deeply to lives often ignored by dominant narratives. By giving space to those on the peripheries, he said, journalism becomes an instrument of reconciliation and hope.

Addressing the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence in communication, Pope Leo warned against losing the human dimension of storytelling. He urged journalists to return “to the reasons of the heart,” to nurture authentic relationships, and to ensure that technological progress does not silence compassion or exclude the vulnerable.

“The challenge of our time,” the Pope noted, “is to remain close to others without excluding anyone,” affirming that Catholic media serve society through a commitment to truth—especially for those who feel unseen or unheard.

Pointing to the witness of Father Jacques Hamel, the French priest murdered in 2016, Pope Leo highlighted dialogue and peace as essential journalistic values. The annual Father Hamel Prize, awarded by the Federation, honors journalists whose work promotes interreligious understanding and reconciliation.

Recalling Father Hamel’s life, the Pope said his example demonstrates the power of closeness and encounter. True communication, he stressed, begins with the courage to meet others without fear of differences and with openness to being transformed by truth.

Concluding his message, Pope Leo expressed hope that Catholic journalists would embrace their prophetic mission in today’s divided world. He encouraged them to be “seekers of truth,” artisans of words that heal, and communicators capable of “bringing together what is broken” by giving voice to those the world too often forgets.

Courtesy: Vatican News