Speaking at the conclusion of his weekly Sunday prayer in Saint Peter’s Square, the pontiff said the annual observance underscored both the value of independent journalism and the growing threats faced by reporters carrying out their work.

“Today we celebrate World Press Freedom Day , unfortunately, this right is often violated, sometimes in blatant ways, sometimes in more hidden forms,” he told worshippers gathered in the square under clear skies.

The pope urged the faithful to remember journalists and correspondents who had lost their lives while pursuing facts and reporting from areas affected by war and violence.“We remember the many journalists and reporters who have been victims of war and violence,” he said.

World Press Freedom Day, supported by UNESCO and observed annually on May 3, serves as a global platform to defend media independence, highlight censorship and intimidation, and honor journalists who have died in the line of duty.

The Catholic leader has repeatedly described journalism as a pillar of democracy and social accountability, emphasizing that access to truthful information is a public good that must be protected from manipulation and political pressure.

In previous addresses, he has thanked reporters for their role in uncovering facts and holding power to account, arguing that journalism should never be criminalized and calling for the release of journalists unfairly detained or prosecuted around the world.

His remarks come at a time when press freedom advocates continue to warn of growing restrictions on independent reporting, particularly in conflict zones where journalists face heightened risks of detention, violence and death.

The Vatican has increasingly used global observances such as Press Freedom Day to reinforce broader appeals for human dignity, transparency and protection of civil institutions amid rising international instability.

At least four petitions are scheduled to be heard on March 23, targeting amendments linked to the Digital Personal Data Protection Act that critics say weaken the country’s two-decade-old Right to Information framework.

The dispute centers on a provision excluding “personal information” from disclosure under the Right to Information Act. Previously, such information could be released if it served the public interest.

Petitioners argue the change could allow authorities to withhold key data, including details about public spending or officials involved in controversial projects, thereby undermining accountability.

Anjali Bhardwaj said the amendment could enable the government to block disclosure of information critical to public scrutiny, while activist Venkatesh Nayak described the move in court filings as a “death knell for participatory democracy.”

The government of Narendra Modi has rejected allegations that it is curbing transparency, saying the law maintains a balance between privacy rights and access to information.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told parliament the changes would “not restrict the disclosure of personal information” and adhere to the principle of “maximum disclosure and minimum exemptions.

”Officials have also denied broader accusations of suppressing dissent, stating that content removal orders are limited to unlawful material.

The controversy comes amid wider scrutiny of India’s transparency framework. The country’s position in a global ranking by the Centre for Law and Democracy has fallen from second place in 2013 to ninth, with researchers citing expanding exemptions under the RTI regime.

Journalists and civil society groups have expressed concern that the amended law, combined with stricter digital regulations, could affect investigative reporting and access to public-interest information.

The privacy legislation also introduces significant financial penalties for non-compliance by technology companies, adding another layer of regulatory oversight in India’s digital ecosystem.