Pope Francis has claimed that gossiping is a 'plague worse than Covid' that is seeking to divide the Catholic Church.
Francis strayed from his prepared text to double down on his frequent complaint about gossiping within church communities and even within the Vatican bureaucracy.
Francis didn't give specifics during his weekly blessing, but went on at some length to say the devil is the 'biggest gossiper' who is seeking to divide the church with his lies.
'Please brothers and sisters, let's try to not gossip,' he said. 'Gossip is a plague worse than COVID. Worse. Let's make a big effort: No gossiping!'
Yesterday around 1,000 people marched on central Rome to protest the mandatory use of face masks for schoolchildren and compulsory vaccination for them.
More than 35,500 people have died in Italy - one of the first countries in Europe to be hit. The country, where almost 276,000 cases have been reported, emerged in May from a strict two-month lockdown.
The crowd was composed of anti-vaccine activists and conspiracy theorists.
'No masks, no social distancing,' a banner read. Others read 'Personal freedom is inviolable' and 'Long live liberty.'
One protester carried a photo of Pope Francis with the word Satan written above it and the number 666 - considered a symbol of the devil.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte reacted frostily saying: 'More than 274,000 ill and 35,000 dead. Full stop.'
He said there would be no new lockdown but only targeted confinements if needed.'
During his comments, Pope Francis also elaborated on a Gospel passage about the need to correct others privately when they do something wrong.
The Catholic hierarchy has long relied on this 'fraternal correction' among priests and bishops to correct them when they err without airing problems in public.
Survivors of sexual abuse have said this form of private reprimand has allowed abuse to fester in the church and let both predator priests and superiors who covered up for them escape punishment.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
