Nicole Winfield, Associated Press
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Leo XIV told journalists they were welcome to report on him while responding to the Trump administration's attempt to bar U.S. media from the White House. He affirmed the importance of journalists covering public figures during a press interaction on his flight to France for a four-day visit.
On Friday, when asked by a CNN reporter about the Trump administration's actions against CNN and other reporters, Leo stated, "I am very happy that here, you are all welcome." He emphasized the significance of good media coverage and the need for it to be available for everyone.
CNN, MS NOW, and Politico regained access to the White House on Thursday after a judge intervened regarding President Donald Trump's ban, but tensions between him and media outlets continued. On a day when Chinese leader Xi Jinping was visiting Washington, no major American network broadcast live coverage, and both CNN and MS NOW reported that their journalists were denied access to Xi's state dinner arrival.
Pope Leo XIV has consistently advocated for a free and independent press, a stance he reiterated during one of his first audiences as pope. He called for the release of imprisoned journalists and highlighted the value of free speech and the press during a meeting with journalists covering the 2025 conclave that elected him.
However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, independent media have been restricted from covering certain events, including photo opportunities inside the pope's private studio during visits from heads of state. Many private audiences with other groups and individuals have also been closed to non-Vatican press.
Leo's comments regarding Trump followed a previous exchange over the American president's criticism of his opposition to the Iran war. His stance has garnered support from some Parisians opposed to Trump's policies, who celebrated his first official state visit in 18 years.
Retiree Thierry Marien expressed appreciation for Leo's willingness to oppose the American president, stating, "He dared, at his level, to oppose the American president... because he's opposed to countries where we can see there's a risk of their political systems becoming a bit more dictatorial."
Later on Friday, Leo distanced himself further from Trump administration policies by visiting UNESCO, the U.N. cultural and educational agency, from which the U.S. has withdrawn. Leo, who promotes multilateral diplomacy, toured the UNESCO grounds and delivered a speech on the organization's values aimed at promoting peace through culture and education.
On the flight, Leo also apologized for missing an opportunity to speak with the press during his last international trip, when his Iberia charter broke down in Spain's Canary Islands. He addressed the media's disappointment when he came to greet reporters on the plane, saying, "I want to apologize personally for an incident, that I had nothing to do with, but which I know left a number of you unhappy."
In other comments, Leo expressed his belief that his alma mater, Villanova, would have strong support during a basketball game against the Catholic University of Notre Dame in Rome on November 1, stating, "They tell me that the people coming to the match, 90% are Villanova and 10% Notre Dame, so the voice of the people of God will be very strong on the Villanova side."
Associated Press writer John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report.