By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY (Reuters), Pope Francis Sunday paid tribute on Sunday to journalists who died or were imprisoned for their work.

Francis addressed thousands of St. Peter’s Square crowds for his weekly blessing and speech.

He stated, “I give homage journalists who pay in cash for this right,” and cited statistics which showed that more than 300 journalists were jailed and 47 journalists were killed last year.

The source for the data was provided by him. UNESCO is the U.N. agency that sponsored World Press Freedom Day. It stated that 55 journalists and other media personnel were murdered in 2021.

The pope expressed his gratitude for “those who with courage keep us informed about the wounds of humanity.”

Francis last month honored journalists killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying that God should reward them for their service to the common good.

New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists has stated that it has confirmed at least seven journalist deaths while covering the conflict in Ukraine. They are also looking into whether any other journalists died as a result of their reporting.

Reporters Without Borders is located in Paris and has reported on a variety of attacks against journalists in Ukraine wearing armbands labelled “Press”.