Bulelwa Hoala

Pope Leo XIV held his first press conference with the media at the Vatican on Monday, 12 May 2025.
According to reports, the newly elected Pontiff assured members of the media that the church stands in solidarity with them in their duty to seek the truth and called for the release of imprisoned journalists across the world.
The BBC reports that the pope also raised concerns about artificial intelligence, saying the media should use AI with “responsibility and discernment.”
This comes after the Pontiff’s first Sunday address, where he called for peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Formally known as Cardinal Robert Prevost, Pope Leo was elected following a two-day conclave as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, 8 May 2025.
He made history as the first American-born pope.
See below for an overview of popes through the ages:

READ NEXT: First group of 49 Afrikaners leaves South Africa for the US



