Pope Leo XIV called Monday for the release of jailed journalists and urged reporters against using words that fan hatred, as Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky invited him to the war-torn country.

Leo, the first US leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, held his introductory audience with journalists at the Vatican four days after being elected pope by cardinals.

After using his first address last Thursday to call for peace around the world, Leo returned to the theme on Monday, saying peace began with communications.

"Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred -- let us free it from aggression," he said.

"Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world," he added.

He offered solidarity with journalists "imprisoned for seeking and reporting the truth" and called for them to be freed.

As he was speaking, Ukrainian President Zelensky revealed he had invited the new pontiff to Ukraine in their first phone call.

"I invited His Holiness to make an........

© International Business Times