A claim has been circulating online suggesting that Pope Francis has declared that Catholics can "eat whatever you want" during Lent, disregarding traditional fasting and abstinence practices. This claim, which first appeared during the 2024 Lenten season, has resurfaced again in 2025. However, there is no truth to this statement.

The misleading claim appears to have originated from social media posts and unreliable websites that falsely attributed a statement to Pope Francis. There is no official record from the Vatican or Pope himself supporting such a declaration. The Catholic Church’s guidelines on fasting and abstinence during Lent remain unchanged.

The Catholic Church has long maintained specific fasting and abstinence rules during Lent. According to the Code of Canon Law (Canon 1251), Catholics aged 14 and older are required to abstain from eating meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent. Additionally, Catholics between the ages of 18 and 59 are obligated to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, meaning they can eat one full meal and two smaller meals that do not equal a full meal.

While the Church does allow for exceptions in cases of health concerns or other valid reasons, there has been no directive from Pope Francis suggesting that Lenten fasting can be disregarded altogether.

Pope Francis has consistently emphasized the spiritual significance of Lent as a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In his 2024 Lenten message, he encouraged Catholics to use this period for self-reflection, acts of charity, and deepening their faith. He has never suggested that Catholics abandon traditional fasting practices.

With the rise of social media, misinformation and misattributed quotes can spread rapidly. Catholics are encouraged to refer to official Vatican sources, such as the Vatican website (www.vatican.va) or statements from the Holy See Press Office, for accurate information on Church teachings.

The claim that Pope Francis told Catholics they could "eat whatever they want" during Lent is false. The Church’s fasting and abstinence rules remain in place, and Pope Francis has continuously promoted Lent as a time of sacrifice and spiritual renewal. As always, it is important to verify information from credible sources before sharing it.