Leo XIV: Even in the age of 'Fake News', may the Light of Christian witness shine

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - In an age when the construction of “narratives” is sometimes used to obscure or manipulate the reality of facts, Christian witness can, as always, “dispel every shadow,” illuminating even “the deepest darkness.”
Easter Monday 2026.
After the Easter celebration, addressing the crowd gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV drew inspiration from the Gospel reading during the day’s liturgy to recall, in its essential features, the very nature of the Christian proclamation, entrusted to the naked and defenseless authenticity of witnesses sent into the world to proclaim that “Christ is risen.”
The passage from the Gospel of Matthew read at today's Masses calls us to choose between the testimony of the women—Mary Magdalene and Mary of Clopas—who, upon leaving the empty tomb, "encountered the Risen Lord," and that of the guards who were bribed by the leaders of the Sanhedrin to spread the rumor that the disciples themselves had stolen and removed Christ's body from the tomb.
"The former proclaim Christ’s victory over death; the latter assert that death prevails always and in every circumstance. According to their version, Jesus has not risen; instead, his body was stolen."

"This contrast," the Pope emphasized, "invites us to reflect on the value of Christian witness and the integrity of human communication." Often, the proclamation of truth is obscured by what we today call “fake news” — lies, insinuations, and unfounded accusations. Yet, in the face of such obstacles, the Bishop of Rome acknowledged, the truth does not remain hidden; rather, it comes forth to meet us, living and radiant, illuminating even the deepest darkness.”

“Just as he spoke to the women at the tomb,” recalled the Successor of Peter, “Jesus says to us today: ‘“Do not be afraid; go and tell”. In this way, he himself becomes the Good News to be witnessed in the world.” And it is crucial that this Gospel reach above all, “those oppressed by the evil that corrupts history and confuses consciences! I think of peoples afflicted by war, of Christians persecuted for their faith, of children deprived of an education.”

Before reciting the Marian prayer of the Regina Coeli, the Bishop of Rome also spoke “in the light of the Risen Lord we remember today Pope Francis, who, on Easter Monday of last year, returned to the Lord.” “As we recall his profound witness of faith and love,” added Bishop Prevost, “let us pray together to the Virgin Mary, Seat of Wisdom, that we may become ever more radiant heralds of the truth.” (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 6/4/2026)

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