Pope Francis celebrates the mass for the Jubilee of the Armed Forces at St. Peter’s square in the Vatican on February 9, 2025. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse
MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez called out those spreading misinformation and disinformation about Pope Francis’ health, saying it highlights the dangers of irresponsible internet use.
In a statement on Tuesday, Romualdez said reports claiming that Pope Francis had passed away is a “disturbing display of reckless misinformation,” urging the public to remain vigilant against fake news.
“This is a troubling reminder of how ruthless and irresponsible fake news has become. Spreading false information about the Holy Father not only causes unnecessary alarm but also undermines the truth at a time when facts matter more than ever,” Romualdez said.
“Social media must not be a tool for deception,” he added.
Over social media networking sites, different posts claimed that Francis, 88, has passed away already after a bout with respiratory illness. However, major news sites including Vatican News, the news outlet headed by the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, have noted that while the pontiff is still in critical condition, he is stable.
According to the Vatican’s evening update on Wednesday morning (Philippine time), Francis underwent a follow-up CAT scan on Tuesday evening to check the lung infection. There were no further respiratory crises affecting the pope.
“In the morning, after receiving the Eucharist, he resumed work activities,” the Vatican statement said.
Romualdez called on the public to verify information first before sharing it, saying that everyone has the responsibility to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation.
“We all have a duty to be responsible with the information we consume and share. Misinformation can erode trust, create confusion, and cause distress, especially when it involves a leader as deeply respected as Pope Francis,” he said.
“Rather than spreading baseless rumors, let us turn our energy toward prayer and goodwill. Pope Francis inspires millions with his wisdom and compassion, and we pray for his continued strength and good health,” he added.
Furthermore, Romualdez also said that digital platforms must strengthen their fight against disinformation, as stricter measures must be placed to curb the spread of fake news.
“This is a serious issue that demands action. We must work together—governments, media organizations, and tech platforms—to ensure that truth prevails over deception,” he noted.
This is not the first appeal for Filipinos to be cautious about the information they share online. Rome-based Filipino priest Gregory Gaston, rector of the Pontificio Collegio Filippino, said that that the public must avoid spreading false and unverified information about the health condition of Pope Francis.
“Please be cautious about spreading false reports regarding Pope Francis’ [supposed] death,” Gaston said, as reported by the news service of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Monday.
Pope Francis was admitted to hospital on February 14, initially for bronchitis, after appearing weak for several days and complaining of shortness of breath.
The Vatican later said he was suffering from a “polymicrobial respiratory infection,” before revealing on February 18 that he had pneumonia affecting both lungs — part of what it called a “complex” clinical picture.
His condition deteriorated on Saturday, with a “prolonged asthmatic attack” which required him to receive “high-flow” oxygen via nasal cannulas.
Francis also required blood transfusions on Saturday due to a low platelet count, while on Sunday the Vatican said doctors had detected a mild renal insufficiency, which it later said was not cause for concern.