NPC Releases Tice Family Statement on Meeting with Pope Leo XIV

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement from the family of Austin Tice was released today by the National Press Club.

"Debra was blessed to meet with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican June 12. She was honored to have the opportunity to pray with him about her son, Austin, who has been held in Syria since 2012. Austin is an award-winning journalist who was working for the Washington Post, McClatchy and CBS News when he was taken."

"One of Pope Leo's first public statements was about the important role of journalists and the need for them to be safe. And he offered a prayer for those who are held in prison. Austin is the only American journalist currently being held. He is the longest held American journalist. We pray for his release, and we are grateful that Pope Leo leads us in those prayers."

"We are so very grateful to Cardinal Zenari of Damascus who joined the meeting and is also praying for Austin. Debra has known the Cardinal since her time in Syria in 2014 and he has been very supportive in all matters since then."

"Pope Leo and Debra discussed ways the Pope could be helpful in facilitating Austin's return to his family and those discussions will continue. She briefed the Pope on recent developments in Austin's case including the journalism by BBC, The Economist and The Washington Post, which confirms Austin was held by the Assad Regime. Assad, who is currently in Moscow, has repeatedly and publicly denied Syria was holding Austin. The U.S. Government knew otherwise and now journalists are independently confirming these facts."

Debra asked that Pope Leo ask President Trump and President Putin to meet with him by phone to discuss Austin's case and how he can be returned to his family. President Putin was asked at his annual news conference if he had spoken to Assad about Austin and he said he would do so. President Trump has long advocated for Austin Tice to come home.

Contact: Bill McCarren. 202-662-7534 or [email protected] for the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club

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SOURCE National Press Club