Rev. Shaji Karackal
New York: Pope Leo XIV Condemns Clickbait and Calls for Truthful Journalism. Pope Leo XIV addressed around 150 journalists from the international newswire alliance Minds International at the Vatican on Thursday, October 9, 2025. In a prepared speech delivered in Italian, he praised the vital role of journalism while urging the press to resist sensationalism, disinformation, and the “degrading practice” of clickbait that prioritizes clicks over truth.
On freeing communication from corruption: “Communication must be freed from clickbait and misguided thinking [that] corrupts it, from unfair competition and from the degrading practice of so-called clickbait.” On journalists as a barrier against lies: “You can act as a barrier against those who, through the ancient art of lying, seek to create divisions in order to rule by dividing.” Praising frontline reporting: He highlighted the courage of reporters in war zones like Gaza and Ukraine, calling journalism a “public good that we all should protect.” He specifically commended newswire reporters for their work in providing factual, on-the-ground coverage.
The event was part of the Minds International conference, which focused on AI, disinformation, and journalism in a “post-truth world.” Leo emphasized distinguishing fact from fiction and avoiding “junk” information, tying this to broader Vatican efforts under his papacy to promote ethical media.
This statement shows Pope Leo’s proactive stance on media since his election in May 2025 as the first American pope (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost). He’s positioned the Church as a defender of truthful communication
Many praised Pope Leo for calling out media manipulation, e.g., “Pope Leo Praises the Press and Urges It to Fight Back Against ‘Ancient Art of Lying’”
