FACT-CHECK: Pope Francis did not say ‘We can eat what we want at Easter’

CLAIM: Pope Francis said “Eat what we want for Easter, the sacrifice is not in the stomach, but in the heart.”

RATING: FALSE

A fake quote attributed to Pope Francis has been making the rounds in social media. 

Facebook user Maria Borg posted the fake quote on Feb. 12, the earliest post found online.

The fake quote from Pope Francis read:

“Eat what you want at Easter, the sacrifice is not in the stomach, but in the heart. 

They refrain from eating meat, but they do not talk to their brothers or relatives. They do not visit their parents or burden them with care.

They do not share their food with the needy.

They do not allow their children to see their father. They do not forbid grandparents to see their grandchildren.

They criticize other people’s lives, beat their wives, etc.

A good roast or meat stew won’t make you a bad person.

Nor a fish fillet will make you a saint.

Better try to have a deeper relationship with God through better treatment with others.

We are less superficial and more humble at heart.”

As of Feb. 15, her post has received 1,500 reactions, 256 comments and over 10,000 shares.

There is no record of Pope Francis ever saying this. 

The Holy See’s official website features a subsite containing all the speeches, homilies and writings of every pope beginning with Benedict XIV, who reigned as pope from Aug. 17, 1740 to his death in May 1758.

The alleged quote cannot be found on the subsite dedicated to Pope Francis in the official website of the Vatican.  — Rommel F. Lopez

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