On Tuesday evening, near a hospital in Rome where Pope Francis was receiving treatment for a severe lung infection, the self-described “trash influencer” known as the 8th King of Rome embarked on a clandestine mission. Concealing his identity under a disguise, he entered the hospital to spread a false rumor to his followers: that the pope was not actually there.
Simone Basile, whose real name is Simone Basile, is one of many Italians participating in the spread of unfounded claims on social media, Telegram channels, and WhatsApp chats. These claims suggest that Francis has died and that a papal shadow government is concealing the truth.
Roman Catholic cardinals have urged the public to be cautious of fake news regarding the pope’s health and have accused anti-Francis forces of circulating false information. Vatican officials privately discussed these reports as the misinformation spread to various places, including the officials’ smartphones.
Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi stated, “They say we, the Roman Curia, keep Francis frozen so that we can do our scheming.”
Despite the Vatican’s new, more transparent communication strategy regarding Francis’ condition, including detailed updates and a photo Roveraioans still doubt the information. The church’s notorious reputation for intrigue and skepticism have allowed conspiracy theories to thrive.
Cardinal Ravasi admitted that even reputable journalists were asking about unfounded rumors. One reporter approached him in St. Peter’s square to inquire about whether he had seen Francis being taken back to his residence to die.
Fabrizio Corona, an Italian celebrity paparazzo, also claimed onstage outside a shopping mall that the pope was really dead, providing no evidence and dismissing the Vatican’s information as fake.
Out of a sample of over 3,600 accounts posting about the pope’s health, social media intelligence company Cyabra found that around a third were fake.
Rumor has long been prevalent both within and outside the Vatican walls. A conspiracy theory even suggests that Pope Paul VI was replaced by a look-alike during his papacy.
Social media has become a popular destination for spreading rumors and rehearsing conspiracy theories. Influencers like the 8th King of Rome and Er Bombolino have made trips to the Gemelli hospital, where Francis is being treated, to share their findings with their followers.
While the hospital confirmed that the influencers were visiting areas unrelated to Francis’ ward, the 8th King of Rome stated that not finding the pope was a clear indication that he was no longer alive.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/world/europe/pope-francis-disinformation.html
