Pope Leo XIV has said all journalists are welcome to cover him after being asked about the Trump administration’s dispute with CNN and other media organisations.
The pope made the comments on Friday while speaking with journalists aboard his flight from Rome to Paris, where he was beginning a four-day apostolic visit to France.
Asked about the White House's decision to bar CNN and other outlets, Leo did not directly mention US President Donald Trump. Instead, he stressed the importance of journalists being able to cover public figures.
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“I’m very happy that here, you are all welcome,” Leo told reporters. He added that media coverage was “very important” and said it should be available “all the way around for everyone.”
The comments came after the White House had restricted access for journalists from CNN, MS NOW and Politico. The outlets had challenged the decision in court, arguing that the restrictions violated constitutional protections for the press.
A federal judge subsequently ordered the administration to restore their access, ruling that the ban was likely unconstitutional. The White House said on Thursday that the three organisations' journalists had been allowed back into the complex.
The dispute began after Trump announced the restrictions and accused the affected outlets of publishing what he described as “fake news”. The media organisations rejected the allegations and said they would continue defending their rights to report from the White House.
Leo's comments also came as he resumed his traditional practice of speaking with journalists during international travel. The pope apologised to reporters who had travelled with him on a previous trip after an aircraft problem disrupted their return journey and prevented the usual airborne press conference.
The pope's four-day trip to France began on Friday and is scheduled to include meetings and public events before continuing to UNESCO in Paris. The Vatican had announced the visit earlier in September.
Leo's response did not directly comment on the legal merits of the White House dispute, but his emphasis on welcoming journalists highlighted the importance he places on media access during his public engagements.