The Pope has said that gossip is a “plague worse than Covid” that he believes is seeking to divide the Roman Catholic church.
He strayed from his prepared text in his weekly blessing yesterday to reiterate his frequent complaint about slander within church communities and the Vatican bureaucracy.
Without citing examples, he continued at some length to say that the devil was the “biggest gossiper” and was seeking to split the church with lies.
Francis, 83, said: “Please brothers and sisters, let’s try to not gossip. Gossip is a plague worse than Covid. Worse. Let’s make a big effort: no gossiping!”
The Pope was elaborating on a gospel passage about the need to correct others privately when they do something wrong.
The Catholic hierarchy has
