FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show The Pope Discussing His ‘Secret Agenda’?

February 8th, 2024
Pope Francis celebrates Mass for members of institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, February 2, 2024. REUTERS/Remo Casilli

A video shared on Facebook allegedly shows Pope Francis discussing a “secret agenda.” 

 

Verdict: False

The subtitles are not accurate.

Fact Check: 

A group of 90 Catholic figures signed a letter in opposition to a Vatican document approved by Pope Francis that would allow priests to bless same-sex couples for the first time, according to Newsweek. The letter said that the document would lead to the blessing of “objectively sinful” relationships, the outlet reported.

An X video claims to show Pope Francis admitting to a “secret agenda.” The video shows the pope in religious dress, sitting down and speaking to the camera.

“I am ashamed to tell you this, but I have secret agenda to deceive you,” the alleged subtitles read. “Yes, it looks good to unite people in a one world religion. That way I can control them better. And have you all… worship me.”  The subtitles later purportedly show him shaming Christians for watching things such as The Hobbit, Game of Thrones and the Lego Movie 2.

“Please Share The Popes Confession Far And Wide With Your Friends, Family Members, Relatives And All Over Your Social Media Platforms,” the post’s caption reads in part.

These subtitles are inaccurate, however. The original video was posted on YouTube in December 2020 by Kenneth Copeland Ministries. “On Jan. 21, 2014, Kenneth Copeland Ministries was blessed to receive a personal video message from Pope Francis,” the description reads. “The attendees of KCM’s annual Ministers’ Conference were greatly inspired when presented the Pope’s greeting and a message he prepared.”

 

The portion in which Pope Francis starts talking in Italian has entirely different subtitles compared to the Facebook video and mentions no “secret agenda.”

Pope Francis delivered the message to Kenneth Copeland Ministries in January 2014, and voiced “yearning” that separation between Christians and Catholics would end, according to the Catholic News Agency. (RELATED: Did Pope Francis Say That Jesus Was Born During A Census Taken By King David)

Check Your Fact has reached out to the Vatican Press Office for comment and will update this piece accordingly if one is received. 

Anna Mock

Fact Check Reporter