Pope Leo Welcomes Press Amid Trump White House Media Ban

Pope Leo XIV said Friday that journalists covering his trip to France were welcome, emphasizing the importance of broad media coverage when asked about President Donald Trump’s decision to bar three press outlets from the White House.

During an exchange with reporters aboard the papal plane traveling to France, a CNN reporter asked Leo whether he had any words for colleagues experiencing “difficulties” with the White House. The pope replied that he was very happy to have the journalists aboard and said, “You’re all welcome.”

Leo added that he believes strong media coverage is important and said, “that we have it all the way around, for everyone.” He did not specifically mention Trump or the White House ban by name in his response.

Later during the flight, Leo used a microphone to thank the journalists accompanying him for their coverage of his visit to France, which marks the first papal trip to the country in 18 years.

The pope has previously been a prominent critic of the Trump administration’s military actions, particularly its decision to go to war with Iran. Following the outbreak of the conflict, Leo warned that a “spiral of violence” could develop into “an unbridgeable chasm.”

His criticism intensified after Trump posted a warning on Truth Social saying that a “whole civilization will die tonight” unless Iran accepted his demands. Leo called Trump’s remarks “truly unacceptable” and said that “all attacks on civilian infrastructure is against international law.”

Trump responded to the pope’s criticism in April with a social media attack on the Catholic leader. He described Leo as “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy.” Trump also said Leo should be “thankful” and claimed, without providing evidence, that Leo would not be in the Vatican if Trump were not in the White House.

Trump further accused the pope of “catering to the Radical Left” and of trying to be a “politician” rather than a “Great Pope.” Leo later responded to the president’s remarks by saying, “I have no fear of the Trump administration, or speaking out loudly of the message of the Gospel, which is what I believe I am here to do.”