Vatican: Pope Francis is not dead

By Daisy Okiring

The Vatican has strongly dismissed a surge of conspiracy theories falsely claiming that Pope Francis has died.

Officials emphasize that the 88-year-old pontiff is steadily recovering from a severe lung infection and remains under medical care at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.

Social media speculation escalates

The rumors, which gained traction across Italy, allege that the Vatican is hiding the Pope’s death and using artificial intelligence to simulate his voice and image. These claims intensified after media personality Fabrizio Corona publicly declared, “He is really dead,” suggesting that the Pope’s recent audio messages were AI-generated. His statement quickly went viral, fueling further speculation.

Despite regular health updates from the Vatican and the release of images showing Pope Francis concelebrating Mass at the hospital chapel, skeptics continue to question their authenticity, insisting the footage is either outdated or digitally manipulated.

Church officials condemn misinformation

Roman Catholic officials have strongly condemned the spread of misinformation, calling it both irresponsible and damaging. Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi expressed frustration over the claims, stating, “They say we, the Roman Curia, keep Francis frozen so that we can do our scheming.” He emphasized that this is one of the most transparent periods in the Church’s history regarding a Pope’s health.

According to The New York Times, Vatican insiders are concerned that such conspiracy theories could undermine public trust and destabilize the institution.

Pope’s health update

Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized since February 14, recently appeared visibly short of breath in a video message thanking well-wishers. However, Vatican spokespersons assure that he remains in stable condition and is under careful medical observation.

King Charles III to proceed with Vatican visit

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will go ahead with their scheduled state visit to Italy and the Vatican from April 7 to 10.

Their itinerary includes a meeting with Pope Francis, highlighting the importance of reinforcing diplomatic and interfaith ties between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England.

Vatican urges public to trust official sources

As speculation continues to circulate, the Vatican reiterates its commitment to transparency and urges the public to rely on credible sources for accurate information