Fake Video Claims Pope Leo XIV Has Resigned

September 23, 2025: A fake viral video claims that Pope Leo XIV has resigned from his ministry as Bishop of Rome to live a life of hidden prayer and intercession. The video, released less than a day ago, opens with the line: “Beloved children in Christ, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…” and presents the alleged resignation as a profound spiritual act rather than a canonical or administrative decision.

The video has already sparked confusion among viewers, with some expressing alarm and others curiosity. Using symbolic language about the “bark of Peter” and the supremacy of prayer, the video attempts to frame the resignation as a mystical choice.

This fact check reviews the top claims made in the video and confirms that they are false.

🔍 CLAIM #1: Pope Leo XIV Announced Resignation as Bishop of Rome

❌ VERDICT: FALSE

The video claims: “I Leo XIV, by the mercy of God and the grace of the apostolic see, do hereby renounce the ministry of bishop of Rome, successor of St. Peter.” This statement is entirely fictional and did not occur.

🔍 CLAIM #2: Pope is Leaving Leadership to Enter Hidden Cloister

❌ VERDICT: FALSE

The video asserts: “I set it down to take up another. For the Lord has called me not to a higher office, but to a deeper silence, not to a greater stage, but to a hidden cloister.” This is fabricated.

🔍 CLAIM #3: Pope Will Become a Supplicant Among the Faithful

❌ VERDICT: FALSE

The video quotes: “And now, as I prepare to descend from this throne to take my place among you, not as a sovereign, but as a supplicant…” This did not happen and is false.

🔍 CLAIM #4: Faith Must Rest on Christ, Not the Pope

❌ VERDICT: FALSE

The video claims: “Your faith must never rest on the person of the pope, but on the rock of Christ, against which the gates of hell shall never prevail.” While a spiritual teaching, the video falsely attributes this as part of a resignation announcement.

🔍 CLAIM #5: The Papacy Will Immediately Pass to a Successor

❌ VERDICT: FALSE

The video states: “And she will appoint a new helmsman according to the divine will.” This framing implies a transfer of office that did not take place and is fabricated.

📋 Summary

5 Claims Reviewed

0 True

0 Partially True

5 False

Sources: No official papal statement confirms any of these claims.

📌 Always verify papal news with official Vatican channels to avoid being misled by viral videos or misinformation.

By Catholic Connect Reporter

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