Misinformation thrives in this era and the consequences push past mere confusion in people’s lives. In his 2018 “World Communications Day” address, Pope Francis drew parallels between the spread of fake news and the serpent’s deception to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. 

 Pope Francis stated in his address, “The strategy of this skilled ‘Father of Lies’ is precisely mimicry, that sly and dangerous form of seduction that worms its way into the heart with false and alluring arguments.”  The Pope drew on biblical analogy to emphasize the deceptive nature that misinformation creates, and the power it has to spread discord, distrust, and fear in our society. 

Considering the recent events during the 2024 election, the Pope’s words from 2018 profoundly resonate. In fact, during his 2025 “State of the World” address, the Pope cited the assassination attempts in 2024 on now President-Elect Donald Trump and the Slovakian PM Robert Fico.

These are tragic examples that showcase how fake news leads to violence. Fox News reported that these were attacks that were fueled by the misinformation that was spread to warp the reality of the attempted assassins. “Fake news not only distorts facts but also perceptions” the Pope stated. “It undermines people’s sense of security, compromises civil coexistence, and destabilizes entire nations.”

In a recent interview, Ashley Smith, a psychology student at Liberty University, discussed the toll of misinformation. She described how misinformation and fake news exhaust a person’s mind.

“The constant bombardment of the conflicting narratives could lead an individual to experience information fatigue,” commented Ashley. This condition will manifest anxiety, confusion, and an inability to distinguish the truth.

Smith continued, “Fake news is a virus. This virus spreads fast and feasts on the fears of a person that creates a long-lasting psychological break.”

Both addresses of Pope Francis create a standard for the importance of pursing truth in journalism. He made it clear to journalists to look above all the division and help create healing narratives. Looking to the Bible, we see it mandated to “speak the truth in love” in Ephesians 4:15, which aligns with the Pope’s message.  

Truth will always combat lies and create reconciliation and hope in the world. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” Jesus says in John 8:32.  The call for a “journalism for peace” that the Pope invites us to, is a perfect way to cast-off the old serpent’s modus operandi and to pursue truth as the foundation of journalism.