FACT-CHECK: Pope Francis Not Dead, Statement Announcing His Passing Is False
A statement announcing the purported passing of the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, Pope Francis, is false, the Nigerian Voice can report.
The statement which purportedly emanated from the official X of Vatican press department, has been found to be outright fake and misleading.
BACKGROUND
A message, which was ‘forwarded many times’ on WhatsApp, had alleged that the Holy Father passed away on Sunday, February 23, at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome.
The viral statement mourned the Catholic head, praying for the repose of his soul.
The message read, “With profound sorrow, we announce the passing of our beloved Holy Father, Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Pope Francis entered into eternal rest today at 19:39, at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital in Rome.
“We give thanks for his faithful service and pray for the repose of his soul. PopeFrancis Thank you for your unwavering guidance, compassion, and service to the Church. Rest now in the eternal embrace of God's love. Pope Francis 1936-2025.”
FACT-CHECKING
The message was depicted to have been issued by @VaticanNews on X (formerly known as Twitter). It is understood that Vatican News is a service provided by the Holy See's Dicastery for communication and news about Pope Francis, the Vatican, and the Catholic Church.
Meanwhile, when the Nigerian Voice newspaper fact-checked the message, it was discovered to be false.
A thorough check on @VaticanNews, did not display any announcement about the alleged passing on.
Instead, a report from the Vatican News confirmed that Pope Francis had a peaceful ninth night on Sunday morning in Rome's Gemelli hospital where he is being treated for double pneumonia.
“Pope Francis had a peaceful ninth night in the hospital, the Holy See Press Office published on Sunday morning, issuing its latest note to journalists as the Holy Father is being treated for double pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital,” the report read.
“Again this morning, the Pope used nasal cannulas for the administration of high-flow oxygen. Other clinical exams are underway. The medical bulletin this evening will shed light on the results.
“Saturday night, the Press Office issued the following evening health update on the Holy Father:
“The condition of the Holy Father continues to be critical. Therefore, as explained yesterday, the Pope is not out of danger. This morning, Pope Francis experienced an asthma-like respiratory crisis of prolonged intensity, which required the administration of high-flow oxygen.
“Today's blood tests also revealed thrombocytopenia, associated with anemia, which required the administration of blood transfusions.
“The Holy Father remains alert and spent the day in an armchair, although he is more fatigued than yesterday. At the moment, the prognosis remains guarded.”
VERDICT
This fact-check submits that the news about the passing of Pope Francis is outright false. The statement announcing his purported demise could have been doctored to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.