Pope Leo XIV Says Media Welcome Aboard Papal Plane, Backs Press Access

Pope Leo XIV said on Friday that journalists were welcome to cover him, affirming the importance of the press in covering public figures as he responded to a question about the Trump administration's attempt to bar U.S. media from the White House.

Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane at the start of a four-day visit to France, the pontiff was asked by a CNN correspondent about the administration's move to exclude CNN and other reporters. He replied that the media was welcome on his aircraft.

"I am very happy that here, you are all welcome," he said.

The remarks came a day after a judge granted CNN, MS NOW and Politico a reprieve allowing them to resume coverage.

Leo also used the occasion to apologise for missing his traditional airborne press conference during his previous international trip. On that occasion, his Iberia charter broke down in the Canary Islands and he returned to Rome alone on a private jet offered by the Spanish king.

The pope said he had "nothing to do with" the decision to accept the offer. More than 70 reporters and the Vatican delegation had waited several hours at the airport in Tenerife for a replacement plane.

Addressing the media's disappointment, Leo came to the back of the plane to greet reporters. He offered a personal apology for an incident he said he had no part in, but which he acknowledged had left many of those travelling with him unhappy that they could not fly back to Rome together.