FACT-CHECK: Pope Leo XIV did not make a scout salute in first appearance at St. Peter’s Basilica

CLAIM: Pope Leo XIV made the scout salute after his election.

RATING: ALTERED

A Facebook post falsely claimed that Pope Leo XIV made the scout salute at the central balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica upon his election.

The edited photo shows Pope Leo XIV raising three fingers while wearing traditional papal vestments, which the post interpreted as a scout salute.

The user even added a caption to the image, saying, “Fui scout, inclusive antes de ser sacerdote…” which translates to “I was a scout, even before becoming a priest…”

The original photo, taken by Ettore Ferrari, shows Pope Leo XIV during his first appearance as the Successor of Peter from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, simply waving to the crowd.

There is no evidence in his official biography that he was ever part of the scouts.

As of writing, the Facebook post containing the claim has drawn 175 reactions and 21 shares. Dulce Amor Rodriguez

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