Pope says gossiping is a 'worse plague' than coronavirus

Pope Francis urged the faithful on Sunday to steer clear of gossip, calling it worse than the coronavirus and saying it could be used to divide the Roman Catholic Church.

"Please, brothers and sisters, let's make an effort not to gossip. Gossiping is a worse plague than COVID," the pope said during his weekly address from a window above St. Peter's Square.

"The devil is the great gossip. He is always saying bad things about others because he is the liar who tries to split the Church," Francis added in the off-the-cuff comments.

The pope has regularly warned of the risks of gossiping and has also railed against Internet trolls.

"If something goes wrong, offer silence and prayer for the brother or sister who make a mistake, but never gossip," he said on Sunday.

REUTERS

Pope says gossiping is a 'worse plague' than coronavirus

Breaking Headlines

Pope

Coronavirus

PM Salam affirms no military action outside state authority in rebuke to Hezbollah

PM Salam affirms no military action outside state authority in rebuke to Hezbollah

US advises citizens to evacuate over a dozen Middle Eastern countries

US advises citizens to evacuate over a dozen Middle Eastern countries

Berri halts live broadcast amid parliament salary dispute

Berri halts live broadcast amid parliament salary dispute

Explosions heard in east of Saudi capital Riyadh: AFP

Explosions heard in east of Saudi capital Riyadh: AFP

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

Israel strikes vehicle in Doueir-Wadi Aaba in South Lebanon—Video

Berri halts live broadcast amid parliament salary dispute

Berri halts live broadcast amid parliament salary dispute

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

Fairuz receives condolences for death of son Hali Rahbani—Video

Al Hadath: Berri shocked by Hezbollah move, backs Lebanese state

Al Hadath: Berri shocked by Hezbollah move, backs Lebanese state

Yedioth Ahronoth: Hezbollah’s Mohammad Raad not assassinated

Yedioth Ahronoth: Hezbollah’s Mohammad Raad not assassinated

Israel says Lebanon’s Hezbollah ban is political maneuver, prepares military response: The details

Israel says Lebanon’s Hezbollah ban is political maneuver, prepares military response: The details

Hezbollah MP responds to PM Salam’s statement on government’s handling of Israeli aggression

Hezbollah MP responds to PM Salam’s statement on government’s handling of Israeli aggression

Israel army chief says Lebanon fighting could take 'many' days

Israel army chief says Lebanon fighting could take 'many' days

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

MEA updates flight schedule due to widespread airspace closures

MEA updates flight schedule due to widespread airspace closures

Preliminary toll: 31 dead in airstrikes on Beirut suburbs, south Lebanon

Preliminary toll: 31 dead in airstrikes on Beirut suburbs, south Lebanon