Hoax – Pope Francis allegedly said “eat whatever you want at Easter,” stating that sacrifice “is not in the stomach, but in the heart,” criticizing abstaining from meat during Holy Week.
Analysis
During Holy Week, religious messages often go viral on social media, especially those attributed to Pope Francis. Known for his pastoral style and direct language, the pontiff is frequently used as a symbol in content that advocates for more inclusive and less ritualistic practices.
One such text making the rounds again this year claims that Pope Francis said, “Eat what you want at Easter, the sacrifice is not in the stomach but in the heart.” The message criticizes those who fast but do not show compassion, suggesting that eating meat does not make anyone less religious. Here’s the full content being shared:
THE POPE NAILED IT! “Eat what you want at Easter, the sacrifice is not in the stomach but in the heart. They abstain from meat but don’t speak to their siblings or relatives, don’t visit their parents or resent taking care of them. They don’t share food with the needy, forbid children from seeing their father, forbid grandparents from seeing their grandchildren, judge others’ lives, beat their wives, etc.
A nice barbecue or a meat stew won’t make you a bad person, just as a fish fillet won’t make you a saint. It’s better to seek a deeper relationship with God through better treatment of others. Let’s be less arrogant and more humble of heart. Pope Francis
Fact-Check
This story went viral again during Holy Week 2025 but is just a recycled fake news piece. To verify, let’s answer the following: 1) Did Pope Francis say there’s no problem eating meat at Easter? 2) Has this message circulated in other years? 3) Is it right or wrong to fast and avoid meat during Easter?
Did Pope Francis say there’s no problem eating meat at Easter?
There’s no official record of Pope Francis saying “eat what you want at Easter.” The phrase and its surrounding reflection are not found in any homily, address, letter, or speech published on the Vatican News site, the official news outlet of the Holy See. Nor does it appear in any official Vatican documents.
Has this message circulated in other years?
Yes. The message has been circulating on social media since at least 2017 and tends to resurface during Lent or Holy Week. The site Boatos.org has debunked similar versions of this quote in past years, including 2024.
Other fact-checking platforms also show the text has minor variations, but the core idea is the same: a critique of ritualistic rigidity and a supposed papal endorsement of eating meat.
Is it right or wrong to fast and avoid meat at Easter?
From a doctrinal perspective, the practice of fasting and abstaining from meat on Good Friday is encouraged by the Catholic Church but is not an absolute obligation.
The Code of Canon Law advises Catholics to fast and abstain on specific days, but how one performs that sacrifice may vary. Pope Francis himself has repeatedly said that true fasting should go beyond food and include acts of charity, forgiveness, and humility.
In 2017, another false claim circulated stating that the pope had “banned” fasting during Lent — which was also debunked. Therefore, whether or not to fast is a personal choice and should not be used as a measure of someone’s faith.
Conclusion
The claim that Pope Francis allowed meat consumption during Easter and said “the sacrifice is in the heart, not the stomach” is false. This content has circulated for years, is not found in any official Vatican source, and is designed to provoke emotional responses. Though it may reflect the tone of the pope’s teachings, the quote cannot be attributed to him based on evidence.
Fake news ❌
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