Pope Leo Urges Media to Highlight War Suffering, Not Propaganda

Pope Leo called on journalists to focus on the human suffering caused by war rather than amplifying propaganda or glorifying conflicts. Speaking to broadcasters from Italy’s TG2 news program, the pope emphasized the need to report “through the eyes of the victims” and avoid presenting war like a video game, urging media to act responsibly in portraying the realities of violence.

He cautioned that in times of conflict, information must not become a “megaphone of power” and stressed the importance of verifying news to prevent misleading narratives. While Pope Leo did not specify a particular conflict in his remarks, he has recently called for an immediate ceasefire in the escalating U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, describing the violence as “atrocious.”

The pope’s warning echoes similar concerns voiced by U.S. church leaders, including Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, who condemned a White House social media video that spliced Iran war footage with video game and action film clips, calling the content “sickening.” Both leaders underscored the moral responsibility of media and public figures in shaping perceptions of war.

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