Asked about CNN White House ban, Pope Leo says all journalists are 'welcome' to cover him

Asked about U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to bar ⁠CNN and ⁠several other outlets from the White House, Pope Leo on Friday reaffirmed his support ⁠for freedom of the press.

Pope Leo was greeting journalists on the two-hour flight to Paris from Rome when he was asked about the dispute between the White House and three media ⁠outlets.

The ⁠pope, an American who previously attracted Trump's ire after criticizing the Iran war, did not refer to Trump in his response but called press coverage "very important."

"I'm very ⁠happy that here, you are all welcome," Pope Leo told reporters. "With coverage, I think it's very important that we have it all the way ⁠around ‌for ‌everyone."

The White House said ⁠on Thursday ‌it had reinstated journalists from CNN, MS Now and ⁠Politico after a ⁠federal judge ruled the ban ⁠was likely unconstitutional.