Pope Francis Condemns ‘Fake News’ for Fuelling Assassination Attempts on Donald Trump

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In a profound reflection on the dangers of misinformation, Pope Francis recently attributed the assassination attempts on President-elect Donald Trump to the pervasive spread of "fake news." In his annual "state of the world" address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, the pontiff emphasized the destructive power of false information in creating societal division and distrust.

 

 

According to the Catholic News Agency, Pope Francis delivered his remarks on Thursday, highlighting the significant role that misinformation played in the alarming events of 2024, where Trump was targeted twice. He stated, “This phenomenon generates false images of reality, a climate of suspicion that foments hate, undermines people’s sense of security, and compromises civil coexistence and the stability of entire nations.” He cited the attacks on Trump and the chairman of the government of the Slovak Republic as tragic manifestations of this issue.

 

The first assassination attempt on Trump occurred in Butler, Pennsylvania, during a campaign rally last July. The assailant, Thomas Crooks, fired an AR-15 rifle, with a bullet narrowly missing Trump’s skull by less than an inch, grazing his ear instead. The incident resulted in the death of rallygoer Corey Comperatore and injuries to two others in the crowd. Similarly, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was critically wounded in May after being shot while greeting supporters, a stark reminder of the global reach of this escalating violence.

 

Pope Francis underscored how polarized societies, exacerbated by misinformation and media bias, contribute to these violent acts. He said, “We see increasingly polarized societies marked by a general sense of fear and distrust of others and of the future, which is aggravated by the continuous creation and spread of ‘fake news.’” The Pope acknowledged that the term "fake news," popularized by Trump, reflects a serious concern as it "distorts facts and perceptions," further deepening societal divides.

 

In his speech, Pope Francis declared 2025 as a special "Jubilee" year, centering on the theme of hope. He urged humanity to heal the fractures that have led to such violent attempts, advocating for a collective reassessment of the ties that connect individuals and political communities. “My prayerful hope for this new year is that the jubilee may represent for everyone, Christians and non-Christians alike, an opportunity also to rethink the relationships that bind us to one another,” he said.

 

Through his address, Pope Francis called for a unified effort to combat the spread of misinformation and to foster a more trusting and cohesive society, hoping to prevent further tragedies stemming from unfounded fears and false narratives.

 

Based on a report by NYP 2024-01-13

 

 

[neeray]

"the pontiff emphasized the destructive power of false information in creating societal division and distrust." Then the pontiff should have admonished the very one who he is seen joking with in this article picture. After all, who doesn't know that the Felon Elect represents the epitome of disinformation?