Pope Francis released a message condemning "fake news," saying that it's a "sign of intolerant and hypersensitive attitudes, and leads only to the spread of arrogance and hatred."
The Vatican says the message is part of the Pope's World Communications Day, but some at St. Peter's Square say the Pope was probably sending a message to Donald Trump and other world leaders who have been using the phrase "fake news."
The tragic history of human sin, the Pope says in his message, is the first "fake news" and it dates back to the book of Genesis, when the "crafty serpent" lied to the woman. In present day, according to the Pope's message the fast digital world helps fuel the spread of "fake news" -- which he defines as "the spreading of disinformation on line or in the traditional media."
The Pope's latest message on World Communication Day is "Peace is the true news." And the truth rests on the shoulders of those whose jobs it is to provide information: "journalists, the protectors of news."
It's not a job, but instead a mission. Journalism for peace, the Pope says, "is truthful and opposed to falsehoods, rhetorical slogans and sensational headlines."
This is not the first time Pope Francis has encouraged constructive communication and discouraged the spread of scandalous stories. During his 2017 World Communication's Day message titled "Fear not, for I am with you, Communicating Hope and Trust in our Time" he advocated for the dissemination of "good news" and the condemned "bad news" that spreads fear.