VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV on Monday called for the release of imprisoned journalists and affirmed the “precious gift of free speech and the press” in an audience with some of the 6,000 journalists who descended on Rome to cover his election as the first American pontiff.

"To be called 'woke' in a world that sleeps through suffering is no insult - it is Gospel," a meme featuring the quote read.

Pope Leo XIV has urged for "responsibility and discernment" over the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) during his first press briefing with the media since being elected as the head of the Roman Catholic Church.