USA25 September, 20262 min read
Pope Leo Welcomes CNN Journalists After Trump White House Media Ban Reinstatement
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Pope Leo says all journalists are welcome to cover him amid the White House ban. He reiterates support for press freedom aboard the papal plane en route to Paris.
8 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on White House Officials Question How Long Katie Zacharia Will Stay Press Secretary After First Briefing →
Pope backs press freedom
Pope Leo reaffirmed his support for freedom of the press when journalists asked him about U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to bar CNN and several other outlets from the White House.
Pope Leo told reporters on the two-hour flight to Paris from Rome, "I’m very happy that here, you are all welcome," and he added, "With coverage, I think it’s very important that we have it all the way around for everyone."
Reuters said the White House reinstated journalists from CNN, MS Now and Politico after a federal judge ruled the ban was likely unconstitutional.
Reuters also said Pope Leo did not refer to Trump in his response but described media coverage as "very important."
White House credentials restored
The White House said on Thursday it had reinstated journalists from CNN, MSNBC and Politico after a federal judge ruled the ban was likely unconstitutional.
The White House announced it had again allowed CNN, MSNBC, and Politico to cover the briefing after the federal judge ruling.
WPDE said the 14-day order directs White House officials to "immediately return, reinstate, and restore" the hard-pass credentials held by CNN, MS NOW and Politico employees that were revoked around Sept. 18.
WPDE also said Pope Leo XIV voiced support for robust press coverage when he spoke with CNN reporters aboard a flight to France for a four-day visit.
Coverage from all sides
Pope Leo, an American, reaffirmed his support for press freedom in response to the White House rift with three media outlets. Pope Leo told journalists, "I’m very happy that everyone is welcome here," and he said, "And I think media coverage from all sides and for everyone is extremely important."
Aleteia EN said Pope Leo addressed U.S. issues while en route to France and that a CNN reporter mentioned the conflict between CNN and the White House. Aleteia EN said Pope Leo responded that he is "very happy that here, you are all welcome" and that "Good coverage, I think, is very important" as the pope weighed in on press freedom.