Vatican City: A Facebook page claiming to represent Pope Leo XIV has been circulating various Church-related posts across social media, portraying itself as the official social media platform of the Pontiff. The page is labeled "verified" with a blue badge, further intensifying confusion among the faithful and the general public. CNewsLive English conducted a detailed fact-check into the legitimacy of the page and the authenticity of its claims.
Claim
A verified Facebook page in the name of Pope Leo XIV is sharing news and posts with the appearance of being the official voice of the acting Pope of the Catholic Church.
Claimed by: Facebook Page titled "Pope Leo XIV"
Claimed Status: Verified by Facebook, blue tick
Content: Posts include papal messages, quotes, and news reports styled as official communiqués from the Vatican.
Fact Check Summary
• ❌ FALSE: Pope Leo XIV does NOT operate or own any official Facebook page.
• ✅ The Vatican and the Holy See's official communications are handled through the Vatican News, Holy See Press Office, and the @Pontifex accounts on Twitter (X), Instagram, and other platforms.
• 🚫 Misrepresentation: The Facebook page in question is unauthorized and falsely portrays itself as the Pope’s official social media presence.
Investigation & Findings
1. Official Vatican Position:
The Vatican has repeatedly clarified that the only verified and authorized digital presence of the Pope is through the official accounts under @Pontifex on Twitter (X) and Instagram, managed by the Vatican communications team. There is no official Facebook account held by Pope Leo XIV.
2. No Facebook Presence:
A direct inquiry to Vatican News and prior communications from the Holy See Press Office affirm that no official Facebook profile exists or is endorsed in the name of the current Pope.
3. Page Content Mimics Authenticity:
The page in question posts Vatican-like press releases, addresses global events in a papal tone, and shares religious artwork creating an illusion of credibility. However, no links to Vatican.va, no citations, and no official endorsement are found in the page’s content or description.
4. Verified Badge Confusion:
The blue verification badge on Facebook does not automatically confirm authenticity as it may be granted to pages meeting certain engagement and visibility criteria. The presence of this badge has likely misled users into believing that the page is officially sanctioned.
5. Concerns from Church Authorities:
Church sources in India and Europe have expressed concern about such impersonations, noting that unverified claims and rogue posts in the Pope’s name can mislead millions, especially during times of doctrinal sensitivity or international conflict.
Conclusion
The Facebook page impersonating Pope Leo XIV, despite being verified, is NOT official and spreads misleading representations. Any posts, declarations, or updates from this page should be treated with extreme caution, and followers are advised to rely only on official Vatican channels.
What You Should Do
• Report impersonation: Facebook users can report the page for impersonating a public figure.
• Avoid sharing: Do not share unverified papal statements from unofficial sources.
• Follow official channels: Stay updated with papal messages via www.vaticannews.va and @Pontifex on Twitter (X).
Rating: ❌ FALSE
By: CNewsLive English Fact Check Desk
Editor: Tinumon Thomas