Pope Francis likens fake news to the 'crafty serpent' in the Garden of Eden


Pope Francis called the deception of Eve by the "crafty serpent" the original "fake news" in his message for World Communications Day, which aimed at holding journalists accountable and ending the prevalence of disinformation, BuzzFeed News reports. "There is no such thing as harmless disinformation; on the contrary, trusting in falsehood can have dire consequences," the pope explained. "Even a seemingly slight distortion of the truth can have dangerous effects."
The pope further urged vigilance in guarding oneself against the "snake tactics" of dishonest journalists who can "strike at any time."
Journalists, "the protectors of news," have a "weighty responsibility," Francis added, and they need to resist "feeding frenzies and the mad rush for a scoop." He proposed instead "a journalism less concentrated on breaking news than on exploring the underlying causes of conflicts, in order to promote deeper understanding and contribute to their resolution by setting in place virtuous processes."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The term "fake news" was popularized by President Trump, and CNN notes that the pope is "probably sending a message" to world leaders who use the phrase. The pope additionally used his message, which falls on the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, the patron saint of journalists, to urge for an "education for truth" in order to help people recognize the "sly and dangerous form of seduction that worms its way into the heart with false and alluring arguments."
Pope Francis' comments for World Communication Day are not his first condemnation of fake news. "It is important that, methodically and with patience, criteria of judgment and information be offered so that the public is able to understand and discern, and is not stunned and disoriented," he urged in December. Read more of the pope's message for World Communications Day at BuzzFeed News.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Pakistan train hostage standoff ends in bloodshed
Speed Read Pakistan's military stormed a train hijacked by separatist militants, killing 33 attackers and rescuing hundreds of hostages
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump trade war heats up as Canada, EU retaliate
Speed Read The president imposes 25% steel and aluminum tariffs in an effort to revive US manufacturing, though it may drive up prices for Americans instead
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
What's behind the scrapping of NHS England?
Today's Big Question Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting promise greater democratic control but there are whispers in Westminster that they have 'gone a bit Tory'
By Jamie Timson, The Week UK Published
-
Pope Francis suffers setback with respiratory episodes
Speed Read The 88-year-old pope continues to battle pneumonia
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US Christianity's long decline has halted, Pew finds
Speed Read 62% of Americans call themselves Christian, a population that has been 'relatively stable' for the past five years
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pope Francis hospitalized with 'complex' illness
Speed Read The Vatican says their leader has a respiratory infection, raising new concerns about his health
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Aga Khan, billionaire spiritual leader, dies at 88
Speed Read Prince Karim Al-Hussaini's philanthropy funded hospitals, housing and schools in some of the world's poorest places
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden awards Pope Francis highest US civilian honor
Speed Read President Joe Biden awarded Pope Francis the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pope seeks inquiry on if Gaza assault is 'genocide'
Speed Read In a book for the Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis considers whether Israel's war in Gaza meets the legal definition of 'genocide'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Church of England head resigns over abuse scandal
Speed Read Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby faced backlash over his handling of a notorious child abuser
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Catholic synod ends with no resolution on women
Speed Read At a major Vatican meeting, Pope Francis did not address ordaining women as deacons
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published