After facing unprecedented bad press during his recently-concluded South American tour, Francis released his annual social communications message on the subject of "fake news and journalism for peace".
The Pope said the first fake news dated from the Biblical beginning of time, when Eve was tempted to take an apple from the Garden of Eden based on disinformation from the serpent.
Francis said: "The strategy of this skilled 'Father of Lies' is precisely mimicry, that sly and dangerous form of seduction that worms its way into the heart with false and alluring arguments."
He urged a rediscovery of the "dignity of journalism" and called for reporters to speak the truth.
By Associated Press via the Press Association.
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