CLAIM: Pope Leo XIV delivered English homilies discussing changes in the Church during his pontificate.
RATING: FALSE
Manipulated YouTube videos of Pope Leo XIV using AI-generated images and voice are being spread on social media.
One YouTube video titled “Pope Leo XIV | What Changes Are Possible in the Era of Our Pope” was posted to a channel named “Pope Leo XIV Sermons.”
The video, posted on May 16 by “Pope Leo XIV Sermons,” falsely depicted Pope Leo XIV delivering a homily in English on Church reforms and modern challenges.
The channel “Pope Leo XIV Sermons” has posted 24 AI-generated videos of Pope Leo XIV delivering speeches. The channel is not affiliated with the Vatican.
A search of the Vatican’s official website and its official news site did not show that the pope delivered this sermon.
The new pope’s official page on the Vatican website also did not contain this speech.
Official Vatican records indicate that Pope Leo XIV’s homilies have been delivered primarily in Italian, with only brief introductions in English.
The video is AI-generated content using synthetic media to simulate the pope’s voice.
Contrary to the claim in the falsified video, the pope did not deliver such homilies.
As of writing, the YouTube video has drawn 13,611 views and 464 likes while the YouTube channel remains active. Heaven Grace Peralta
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