FACT-CHECK: Pope Francis did not suggest how Catholics should fast during Lent

CLAIM: Pope Francis suggested ways to fast during Lent

RATING: FALSE

A Facebook page falsely claimed Pope Francis had given tips on how to fast during Lent. 

The Facebook page mentions the source of its post, St. Senan’s Parish, Shannon. Pope Francis supposedly mentioned the words during his “annual Lenten message.” But it did not specify the year of the message.

It quotes the Pope as saying: “Indifference to our neighbour and to God also represents a real temptation for us Christians. Each year during Lent we need to hear once more the voice of the prophets who cry out and trouble our conscience.” This was taken from the Pope’s 2015 Lenten message. 

It then adds, “These are the words of the Pope” then proceeds to mention the “Lenten Fasting Tips.”

Upon checking the original text of Pope Francis’s 2015 Lenten message, there is no mention of the supposed “fasting for Lent tips.”

While other Catholic websites, like the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Fathers of Mercy, also shared the alleged quotes, there is no evidence of Pope Francis ever saying or writing these words.

The website of the Holy See contains the speeches, homilies, messages, and documents issued by each pope beginning with Leo XIII up to the reigning pontiff, Francis. 

All of Pope Francis’s speeches, messages and homilies do not mention the “fasting for Lent tips.” — Rommel F. Lopez

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