A widely shared video allegedly showing Pope Leo XIV condemning U.S. Vice President JD Vance has been exposed as a fabricated clip created using artificial intelligence. Fact-checking site Snopes verified that the viral footage, which emerged in May 2025, is a deepfake and not based on any real statement from the Pope.

In the falsified video, Pope Leo appears to mock Vance for inconsistency and misusing religious faith in politics, reportedly saying, “Vance, you flip-flop faster than pages in the Bible.” The video accused Vance of endorsing policies that contradict core Christian teachings.

However, thorough investigations by Snopes and reviews of credible Vatican records revealed no trace of such a speech. The clip was digitally manipulated from a 2023 interview featuring then-Cardinal Robert Prevost, in which he focused solely on fostering a more inclusive Church. There was no mention of American political figures.

Analysts noticed clear signs of digital tampering—such as unnatural facial expressions and mismatched audio. A deepfake detection tool also rated the voiceover as highly inauthentic.

The TikTok user who first posted the clip, under the handle @frv13172kk1, has since removed the video. The account has a known history of uploading altered content.

This incident highlights the growing danger of misinformation powered by AI tools, especially when targeting public figures. Viewers are urged to cross-check controversial claims with reliable sources before sharing them.