• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Christian News Now

Christian News Now

News for the Thinking Christian

  • Home
  • U.S.
  • World
  • Church
  • Faith
  • Tech & Science
  • Family
  • Entertainment
  • Sports

Pope Denounces Fake News About COVID, Vaccines, Urges Truth

January 28, 2022 by Staff

By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis denounced fake news about COVID-19 and vaccines Friday, blasting the “distortion of reality based on fear” but also urging that people who believe such lies are helped to understand true scientific facts.

Francis met with Catholic journalists who have formed a fact-checking network to try to combat misinformation about the pandemic. Francis has frequently called for responsible journalism that searches for the truth and respects individuals, and his meeting with the “Catholic fact-checking” media consortium furthered that message.

“We can hardly fail to see that these days, in addition to the pandemic, an ‘infodemic’ is spreading: a distortion of reality based on fear, which in our global society leads to an explosion of commentary on falsified if not invented news,” Francis said.

He said access to accurate information, based on scientific data, is a human right that must be especially guaranteed for those who are less equipped to separate out the morass of misinformation and commentary masquerading as fact that is available online.

RELATED: Pope Urges Parents to ‘Never Condemn’ Their Gay Children

At the same time, Francis asked for a merciful, missionary approach to those who fall prey to such distortions so they are helped to understand the truth.

“Fake news has to be refuted, but individual persons must always be respected, for they believe it often without full awareness or responsibility,” he said. “Reality is always more complex than we think and we must respect the doubts, the concerns and the questions that people raise, seeking to accompany them without ever dismissing them.”

Some Catholics, including some conservative U.S. bishops and cardinals, have claimed that vaccines based on research that used cells derived from aborted fetuses were immoral, and have refused to get the jabs.

The Vatican’s doctrine office, however, has said it is “morally acceptable” for Catholics to receive COVID-19 vaccines, including those based on research that used cells derived from aborted fetuses. Francis and Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI have both been fully vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech shots.

Francis has been one of the most vocal religious leaders speaking out in favor of vaccines and respect for measures to fight the pandemic. He has implied that people have a “moral obligation” to ensure the health care of themselves and others, and the Vatican recently required all staff to either be vaccinated or show proof of having had COVID-19 to access their workplaces.

This article originally appeared here.

Filed Under: Church

Primary Sidebar

Trending News

John Lindell Addresses ‘Falsehoods’ and ‘Rumors’ Surrounding James River Church’s Departure From Assemblies of God

Oregon Teens File Lawsuit Over Trans Athlete Laws, Drawing Encouragement From Riley Gaines and Public Response to Simone Biles

Newsboys Owner Wes Campbell Steps Down From GMA Board, Places Steve Campbell ‘On Leave,’ and Reveals More Tait Allegations

‘Little Miracle’—Tori Kelly and Her Husband, André Murillo, Are Expecting Their First Baby

RSS ChurchLeaders

  • Lecrae and Pastor Eric Mason Debunk the Assumption that Christianity Is ‘The White Man’s Religion’
  • ‘Little Miracle’—Tori Kelly and Her Husband, André Murillo, Are Expecting Their First Baby

RSS Faithit

  • Mother of 3 Loses Her Life While Trying to Save 10-Year-Old Son From Drowning
  • Harrowing Rescue Shows Kayaker Saving a 6-Year-Old Boy Left Floating Alone in River

RSS ForEveryMom

  • Sister, Run Your Own Race at Your Own Pace
  • Birth Flowers by Month: Symbolism and Significance

Footer

About Us

Privacy Policy

Contact Us

Newsletter

Search

Copyright © 2025 · Christian News Now