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False Alarm: No “Pope Leo XIV” Livestream Occurred, Fact-Checkers Confirm
Social media posts claiming that Pope Leo XIV conducted an urgent 3 a.m. livestream to discuss threats from a “powerful politician” have been thoroughly debunked by fact-checkers. The viral claim, which began circulating in March 2026, represents the latest in a series of AI-generated hoaxes targeting public figures.
“POPE LEO XIV GOES LIVE AT 3 A.M. WITH AN URGENT MESSAGE ‘Tonight I received a message — and it was sent to silence me,'” read one widely shared Facebook post from March 22. Similar messages spread across multiple platforms, often accompanied by images of former U.S. President Donald Trump, implicitly suggesting he was the unnamed political figure mentioned in the alleged papal address.
An extensive search through reputable news sources revealed no evidence supporting the claim. Had such an unprecedented papal announcement occurred, it would have received immediate coverage from major news outlets including The Associated Press, Reuters, and other international media organizations.
The fabricated story appears to be part of a coordinated effort by content creators using artificial intelligence to generate shocking or inspirational stories about public figures. These accounts typically profit from advertising revenue generated when users click through to external websites linked in the posts.
The language used in this particular hoax closely mirrors previously debunked claims about other public figures, including late-night host Stephen Colbert and U.S. figure skater Ilia Malinin. According to the fact-checking website Lead Stories, by December 2025, identical claims had targeted at least 30 different individuals.
Snopes traced the earliest example of the Pope Leo rumor to the Facebook page “Guided By Grace,” which has not responded to requests for comment about why it published the false story without any disclaimer indicating its fictional nature.
Most posts spreading the false claim included links to unreliable blogs masquerading as news sites. These sites typically display telltale signs of AI-generated content, including an unusually high volume of articles with vague descriptions and dramatic wording. When analyzed with AI-detection tools like GPTZero, the content registered as 100 percent AI-generated.
The creators of these fake stories have also employed technical workarounds to avoid detection, including disabling text selection on their websites and substituting Latin alphabet characters with similar-looking Cyrillic or Greek characters, likely to circumvent content moderation systems or advertising restrictions.
It’s worth noting that Pope Leo XIV doesn’t even exist. Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, continues to serve as the current pontiff, having been elected in 2013. The numerical designation “XIV” suggests a future pope who would follow the naming convention of previous Popes named Leo, the last being Pope Leo XIII who served from 1878 to 1903.
This fabricated story joins several other untrue rumors claiming conflicts between “Pope Leo” and Trump regarding U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, all part of an ecosystem of AI-generated misinformation designed to attract clicks and generate revenue.
Social media users are advised to verify information through established news sources before sharing sensational claims, particularly those involving prominent public figures making dramatic late-night announcements.
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9 Comments
While it’s concerning to see AI-powered disinformation campaigns targeting public figures, I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to swiftly debunk this particular claim. Vigilance is key in the fight against fake news.
Interesting fact-check. It’s important to stay vigilant about misinformation, especially when it involves public figures like the Pope. I’m glad the claim was thoroughly debunked.
This seems like yet another example of the challenges we face in an era of rapidly evolving AI technology. Fact-checking and media literacy will be crucial going forward.
This is a concerning example of the growing problem of AI-generated disinformation. We must continue to support rigorous fact-checking efforts to combat the spread of fake news.
The debunking of this claim is a good reminder of the importance of critical thinking and fact-checking, especially when it comes to sensational or politically charged information.
It’s disheartening to see how easily misinformation can spread on social media. I’m glad the fact-checkers were able to get to the bottom of this particular claim.
Absolutely. We must remain vigilant and rely on trusted sources to separate fact from fiction in the digital age.
The proliferation of AI-generated hoaxes is concerning. It’s crucial that we rely on reputable news sources to verify information, rather than spreading unsubstantiated claims on social media.
Agreed. Fact-checking is essential to combat the spread of misinformation in the digital age.