Pope Leo breaks silence on Trump's media ban and his response catches reporters off guard
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN: Pope Leo XIV was asked aboard his flight to France on Friday, September 25, about the growing fight between the Trump administration and several major US news organizations.
His response was brief, but it offered a pointed reminder of how he views the role of journalists.
Rather than wading into the political dispute, Leo focused on something much closer to his own experience with the press- keeping the doors open.
"I am glad that you are all here,” Pope Leo said aboard plane to France in response to CNN Vatican reporter who asked for comment on the banning of some journalists from White House. "It is necessary and I think it is very important to have good media coverage everywhere and for… pic.twitter.com/dW5PRuzUOM
— Rich Raho (@RichRaho) September 25, 2026
Pope Leo XIV stresses the value of press freedom
A CNN reporter asked the pope about the Trump administration’s attempt to restrict access for CNN and other news organizations at the White House.
Pope Leo’s answer was strikingly simple. “I am very happy that here, you are all welcome,” he told reporters.
The pope went on to stress the value of journalists being able to do their jobs.
Good media coverage is important, he said, adding that it was equally important “that we have it all the way around, for everyone.”
The comments came as the White House and three major news organizations were locked in a legal fight over press credentials, with CNN, MS NOW and Politico challenging their exclusion from the White House.
Pope Leo was speaking while traveling to France for a four-day visit.
His remarks did not directly address the legal arguments surrounding Trump’s decision, but his emphasis on welcoming journalists came at a moment when access to the White House press corps had become the subject of a federal court order.
Trump's media blockade escalates into court battle
The dispute escalated on September 18, when the Trump administration revoked the White House hard-pass credentials of journalists working for CNN, MS NOW and Politico.
The administration accused the outlets of publishing what it described as “fake news” and disputed their characterization of the restrictions.
A White House letter to CNN also accused the network of publishing sensitive or classified information, including reporting related to the Iran war and an article about Trump’s plans for an underground military bunker beneath the planned East Wing ballroom.
Similar accusations were directed at MS NOW and Politico.
The three organizations challenged the move in federal court, arguing that the administration had improperly retaliated against them over their reporting.
The legal dispute turned in their favor on Thursday when District Judge Timothy Kelly issued a temporary restraining order requiring the administration to immediately restore the journalists’ hard-pass credentials.
The court ruling did not immediately end the confrontation.
CNN, MS NOW and Politico reporters tried to return to the White House on Thursday morning but were initially turned away.
The news organizations went back to court seeking an urgent hearing, after which the administration began restoring their access.
The journalists were ultimately allowed onto the White House grounds around midday.
