On May 8, the dean of cardinals at the Vatican announced from the main balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica the election of American Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope of the Catholic Church, making him the first American to hold the position. He took the name Leo XIV, succeeding the late Pope Francis.
The announcement was delivered with the famous Latin phrase “Habemus Papam” (We have a pope), as a large crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square. About an hour after white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney, the new pope addressed the world, calling for “peace and fearless dialogue” so that “we may all walk together.”
However, the historic event was quickly followed by a wave of disinformation across social media platforms. Within hours of the announcement, misleading claims about Pope Leo XIV circulated in several languages.
In response, Misbar has fact-checked and debunked multiple false claims surrounding the new pope. This article highlights some of the most prominent allegations, which falsely accused him of delivering a racist, anti-immigrant speech targeting people of color.
This Video Does Not Show Pope Leo XIV Refusing To Kiss an African Cardinal
Social media users circulated a video clip claiming to show the new Vatican pope, Leo XIV, during his inauguration ceremony, refusing to kiss an African cardinal while kissing others who are white.
Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading; the video is old and dates back to 2023. It does not show the new Vatican pope, Leo XIV, during his inauguration ceremony.
This Video Does Not Show Pope Leo XIV’s Inauguration Ceremony
Several social media accounts circulated claims alleging “modern slavery” practices at the Vatican after a video showed a group carrying a man dressed in clerical robes on their shoulders. The video’s publishers claimed it captured a moment from the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, suggesting the scene symbolized racism and arrogance.
However, Misbar’s investigation found these claims to be misleading. The video is unrelated to Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration and actually dates back to 2024. It depicts a ritual from the Palmarian Catholic Church.
The footage shows Pope Peter III, leader of that church, seated on a golden throne carried by 12 priests representing Christ’s disciples, as part of a traditional internal ceremony held on May 18, 2024.
This Video Does Not Show Pope Leo XIV Calling Muslim Migration to Europe a Mass Invasion
Misleading claims have circulated portraying Pope Leo XIV as taking a hardline stance on migration. Several social media accounts shared a video claiming to show the pope describing migration to Europe as a “mass invasion leading to the Islamization of the continent” and labeling it a “civilizational threat to the West.”
However, Misbar’s investigation found these claims to be misleading. The video is from 2024 and does not feature Pope Leo XIV.
The footage actually shows Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Kazakhstan. Released on August 9, 2024, it captures Schneider responding to a question about Europe’s growing Muslim population. He expressed concerns about continued migration, describing it as part of a deliberate effort to change the continent’s Christian identity. Schneider called current migration policies not a refugee crisis but a “mass invasion” aimed at Islamizing Europe—a process he said has been ongoing for more than 50 years.
Pope Leo XIV Urges Respect for Migrants’ Dignity
In his first address to the world’s diplomats, Pope Leo XIV stressed the importance of respecting the dignity of migrants, a position that may conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Recently, the pope criticized Trump’s immigration stance on his official X account and shared posts opposing Vice President J.D. Vance’s religious views.
Reflecting on his personal background, Pope Leo said, “My story is that of a citizen descended from immigrants who chose to migrate.” He added, “At different points in our lives, we may be healthy or sick, employed or unemployed, living in our homeland or abroad, but our dignity remains constant. It is the dignity of a being willed and loved by God.”
He emphasized that respect for human dignity must extend to everyone — from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, and from citizens to migrants alike.
In his speech, Pope Leo also addressed key issues such as peace, justice, the deep roots of conflict, and the role of multilateral diplomacy in tackling today’s challenges. He noted that his experience living in both North and South America, along with his global travels, has helped him bridge cultural and social divides to connect with diverse communities.
The pope reaffirmed his commitment to follow his predecessors’ path by traveling worldwide to spread the church’s message. He also underscored the church’s firm opposition to abortion, saying it would not hesitate to use a “firm tone” to defend its values amid global pressures.
Known for embracing several priorities of Pope Francis, Pope Leo has focused on environmental protection and outreach to marginalized groups, especially the poor and migrants, according to a report by the Congregation of Cardinals prepared by Vatican affairs journalists.
In earlier remarks, he voiced support for the Black Lives Matter protests after George Floyd’s killing, tweeting in 2020, “We need to hear more from church leaders to reject racism and pursue justice.”
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This Video Does Not Show Pope Leo XIV Refusing To Kiss an African Cardinal
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