Pope pays tribute to journalists who were killed; says press freedom vital

Pope Francis attends a meeting with the members of Italian Foreign Press Association at Clementine Hall at the Vatican, May 18, 2019. [Reuters]

Pope Francis paid tribute on Saturday to journalists killed while doing their jobs, saying media freedom is a key indicator of a country’s health.

In an address to the Foreign Press Association in Italy, he urged journalists to shun fake news and continue reporting on the plight of people who no longer make headlines but are still suffering, specifically mentioning the Rohingya and Yazidi.