Filipino priest appeals: Stop spreading false info about Pope’s health condition

National

A FILIPINO priest based in Rome has appealed to the public to avoid spreading false and unverified information about the health condition of Pope Francis.

Fr. Gregory Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, issued the appeal while the Pope is undergoing treatment for double pneumonia.

“Please be cautious about spreading false reports regarding Pope Francis’ [supposed] death,” Gaston said via the news service of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

Gaston lamented that some people went to some extent just to spread false information about the health condition of the 88-year-old pontiff.

“Some even misuse the Vatican News logo to deceive people,” he added.

Also circulating online are AI-generated photos, showing the Pope lying on a hospital bed with an oxygen mask.

Gaston reminded the public that accurate and official updates on the Pope’s condition can be found on the Vatican News website.

Gaston said the website “will be the first to report any legitimate news.”

One of those who fell prey to these fake news were Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, and his wife Rep. Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” King Chan.

The Chan couple on Monday, February 24, posted on their social media accounts that Pope Francis had passed away.

The two public officials have taken down their posts and apologized for the erroneous social media posts.

“We understand that this oversight had caused frustration, confusion, distress, and even outrage [among] our followers and the Roman Catholic community; with that, we are very sorry,” the mayor said in a Facebook post.

In a report by Inquirer, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, proprefect for the Section of First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, appealed to the faithful to pray for Pope Francis, who remains in critical condition.

“Today, we pray in a special way for Pope Francis,” Tagle said in his homily as he celebrated Mass at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino chapel on Sunday.

“In the spirit of communion and as the Gospel states, [we may] be vessels of God’s compassion to him and to many other people who are suffering from illness,” he added.

Tagle and two other Filipino cardinals—Manila Archbishop Jose Advincula and Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David—are leading the Filipino Catholics in praying for the healing of the Holy Father.