Discover 30 fake news stories about Pope Francis that went viral during his papacy, including rumors of death, political statements, and distorted messages.

The death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, as confirmed by Vatican News, has caused commotion among Catholic faithful and supporters. The Pope, who has been the target of numerous fake news stories involving supposed deaths, misquoted statements, and political decisions since his papacy began, is now the subject of renewed attention. Below, we list 30 debunked stories collected by Boatos.org, categorized by theme. Some have resurfaced recently.

1) Death of Pope Francis

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis was constantly targeted by rumors of his alleged death. At various times, baseless claims about his passing spread across social media, ranging from conspiracy theories to absurd predictions. These fake news stories often emerged when the Pope appeared with health issues or took personal leave. With his official death confirmed on April 21, 2025, it becomes even clearer how misinformation irresponsibly anticipated an event that had not yet occurred.

2) The Pope’s Guidance on the Catholic Church

Over the years, numerous false statements attributed to Pope Francis about changes to Catholic traditions went viral online. Many of these rumors distorted his words or invented non-existent decrees to stir emotions among conservative believers. The goal of these falsehoods was often to create the impression that the Pope wanted to “disfigure” Catholic dogma—something that never happened. Below are some of the most emblematic examples.

3) Quotes Falsely Attributed to Pope Francis

Many fake news stories about Pope Francis used false attribution: invented quotes with no basis in reality were spread online as if they were his direct statements. These quotes often addressed sensitive topics like religion, politics, morality, or social behavior, aiming to manipulate public opinion, generate controversy, or reinforce ideological narratives. Below are examples of fabricated quotes.

4) Pope and Politics

Politics was another fertile ground for fake news about Pope Francis. Over the years, he was falsely linked to statements about political leaders, ideologies, and even predictions about international conflicts. Many of these rumors twisted real speeches or invented positions to portray him as a supporter or opponent of certain groups or governments.

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Last Update: 21/04/2025