Several Facebook (FB) posts claimed that Pope Francis had passed away. This is false. Latest news from the Vatican as of Feb. 25 says the Holy Father remained in critical condition but has shown “slight improvement.” There has been no announcement of his death.
A post published on Feb. 23 by an FB page read:
“Sad News. Pope Francis who came here South Sudan in 2022 pass away today morning”
A day later, some FB users published a similar claim in a group, saying:
“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.”
Pope Francis has not died. According to the latest update from the Holy See Press Office, published by Vatican News on Feb. 25, the Pope “rested well throughout the night.” It said his condition has shown “slight improvement.”
“No episodes of asthma-like respiratory distress occurred [Monday], and some laboratory tests have shown improvement. The monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency has not raised any concerns. Oxygen therapy continues, although with slightly reduced flow and oxygen levels,” the health bulletin from the Vatican said.
On the night when the false claim appeared, the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Pope published a post, thanking people for their prayers. There was no mention of his death.
The erroneous claims circulated a week after the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had been admitted to Rome’s Gemelli hospital due to breathing difficulties. His condition worsened later, with his bronchitis developing into double pneumonia.
The posts uploaded by the FB users and by a page called Gajaak Community Association In Kakuma (created April 5, 2021) collectively garnered around 6,200 reactions, 2,200 comments and 3,700 shares.
