In a speech, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the importance of freedom of expression and at the same time warned that “the meaning of words is becoming increasingly fluid” and even “a weapon” used to deceive or punish opponents.

In his first major address to ambassadors on the state of the world, the Pope spoke about war, multilateralism, and human rights, but also about the significance of words and language.

The Pope devoted part of his speech to warning about how “a new Orwellian language is being developed” that, even though it claims to be inclusive, ultimately excludes those who do not conform.

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The Pope also said that “freedom of expression is guaranteed precisely by the integrity of language and the fact that every term is anchored in truth.” At the same time, he noted that the space for genuine freedom of expression is shrinking rapidly in the Western world.

He believes that words must once again be used to “express clear and distinct realities,” something that is of utmost importance when engaging in “genuine dialogue.”

1984

“Orwellian” usually refers to the kind of language usage George Orwell warned about in his 1946 essay. He argued that political writing often transforms concrete realities into vague generalizations. Orwell dramatized the same idea in 1984 with “newspeak,” a controlled vocabulary designed to shrink what people are able to say.

The Pope also condemned jihadist violence and addressed the persecution of Christians, calling it “one of the most widespread human rights crises today, affecting over 380 million believers worldwide.”