FACT-CHECK: False reports of the pope’s death circulate on social media

CLAIM: Supposed Vatican News report that the pope is dead or was discharged from the hospital.

RATING: FALSE

Several misleading posts have circulated on social media, particularly on vertical video format platforms, making false claims concerning Pope Francis’ health.

TikTok user “queens.tribe” uploaded a photo showing an altered screenshot impersonating Vatican News’ verified X (formerly Twitter) account.

It falsely claimed that Pope Francis had died at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome.

At about the same time, a Facebook page known as “Mr. Ultimate TV” posted a video of the pope being welcomed by the public.

The user maliciously framed the footage as the pontiff’s first public appearance after being “discharged” following a series of medical scares. 

The original video was taken on August 2023 where the Pope could be seen walking with a cane as he addressed the general audience after his appearance at World Youth Day in Lisbon

The official X account of Vatican News did not release any statement or announcements that Pope Francis had died. 

The Holy See’s news outfit reported March 11 that “the Pope’s condition continues to improve” adding that the pontiff had “good response” to his current treatments. 

Fr. Greg Gaston, a Rome-based Filipino priest, has urged the public to be wary of the false information spreading about the pontiff’s health. 

“Some even misuse the Vatican News logo to deceive people,” he said.

Fr. Gaston has also reminded the public that official updates about Pope Francis’ health condition could be found on the Vatican News’ official websites and social media accounts. 

As of writing, the fake announcements have garnered 31,500 likes and 3 million views on TikTok and 8,200 likes, 1,500 comments and 12,000 shares on Facebook. Hurt Allauigan and Earl Jerald Alpay

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