Amid Pope Francis’ hospitalization for a complex lung infection, unsubstantiated claims about the Pontiff have actually shocked the world, flooding social media, Telegram channels, and WhatsApp chats. The theories are gaining traction after the ‘8th King of Rome,’ Simone Basile, a self-styled “influencer,” disguised himself and infiltrated the Rome hospital where Francis is receiving treatment.
Basile wore a wig, hid his pink-and-blue-dyed beard behind a surgical mask and then ventured inside the hospital to show his followers what he thought was the truth to gain likes and shares for his ‘findings’. He who was a former funeral worker, livestreamed his attempt to “expose” the pope’s absence, despite Vatican officials sharing daily health updates, photos, and even an audio recording of Francis.
Influencers Spread Conspiracies for Cheap Publicity
After that many of influencers carried the same type of stories in their social media handles and their channels. Despite the Vatican’s efforts to be more transparent about Pope Francis’ health, these skeptical stories continue to spread like wildfire. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi said that even reputable journalists question whether the pope has been secretly moved to his residence in critical condition. Ravasi called the tendency as ‘toxic’. Fabrizio Corona, a controversial paparazzo known for his involvement in Italian tabloid scandals, has dismissed the Vatican’s reports as AI-generated fabrications. Without any evidence, he recently claimed in a public appearance that Pope Francis is “really dead,” further fueling the speculation.
What Vatican Says
Roman Catholic cardinals are urging people to ignore fake news about Pope Francis’ health, attributing the spread of false information to groups opposed to him. Vatican officials admitted they are privately discussing the misinformation, as it quickly spreads from the internet to everyday conversations in bars, locker rooms, and even their own phones.
Cyabra, a Tel Aviv-based disinformation watchdog, analyzed over 3,600 social media accounts discussing the pope’s health and found roughly a third were fake. Cyabra spokesperson, Rafi Mendelsohn warned the scale of orchestrated falsehoods is “incredibly alarming.” Despite the Vatican’s efforts, decades of institutional secrecy and a cultural shift toward distrusting authority have fueled the rumors. Even graphic details, like the pope inhaling vomit during his treatment, failed to deter speculation.
Pope’s Health Update
According to Vatican, Pope Francis has stopped the use of oxygen mask to breathe at night and his health is “improving”. The Vatican has reported recent progress after earlier worries that his life could be at risk. “The Holy Father’s clinical conditions are confirmed to be improving,” reported the Vatican in Pope’s medical bulletin. Vatican also elaborated that there was a progress in the pope’s motor and respiratory physiotherapy. The medical bulletin reported that doctors suspended the Pontiff’s non-invasive mechanical ventilation and reduced the need for high-flow oxygen therapy.
