Claim – Pope Leo XIV does not smile because he fractured his jaw while saving a girl from being hit by a car.
Analysis
With the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, various stories have emerged about his past, many with a strong emotional appeal. One of the most viral narratives on social media claims that he does not smile like other popes (such as Francis) because he fractured his jaw while saving a girl from being run over.
The sentimental video suggests Leo XIV never revealed the story out of humility. It compares his more serious demeanor to Pope Francis’ warm smile. Here is the circulating message:
Why doesn’t Pope Leo smile like the other popes? Some say his look seems distant, even forced, unlike Pope Francis’ warm smile. But there may be a reason. When he was a young priest, Leo saw a girl about to be hit by a car.
He ran to save her, succeeded, but was hit. His jaw was fractured. Since then, smiling became painful. He never told this story publicly, see? We don’t know if it’s true, but if it is, we have a Pope who sacrificed his body to save a life. Why doesn’t Pope Leo smile like the others? #news #curiosities #popeleoxiv #history #shorts
Fact-check
The content stirred empathy in many and raised doubts in others, especially given the lack of official records. This check addresses three questions: 1) Does Pope Leo XIV not smile because he saved a girl and fractured his jaw? 2) Why does Pope Leo XIV smile less broadly? 3) Are there other fake stories in his biography?
Did Pope Leo XIV stop smiling after fracturing his jaw while saving a girl from being run over?
There is no reliable record that then-priest Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, was involved in any accident of this nature. The story is not mentioned in any official biography or reputable report on his life.
The Vatican News site, the Vatican’s official channel, makes no mention of a jaw fracture or anything similar. Nor do any Catholic or secular media outlets, which strongly indicates the story was invented.
Why does Pope Leo XIV smile less broadly?
The most plausible explanation is simply his personal style. Previous popes, like Benedict XVI, also had more discreet expressions, which does not mean they lacked empathy or spirituality. Personality and physical traits differ among religious leaders, and there is no evidence of any physical condition preventing the new pope from smiling.
Furthermore, recent videos and recordings show Leo XIV speaking normally and communicating clearly, with no signs of facial difficulty. This disproves the theory of a past jaw injury.
Are there other fake stories about his biography?
Yes. Like other religious leaders, Pope Leo XIV has already been the subject of fake stories that attempt to paint a heroic or messianic image. A recent example is the false claim that he turned down a Harvard scholarship in the 1970s. This story has already been debunked by Boatos.org.
Conclusion
It is not true that Pope Leo XIV fractured his jaw while saving a girl from being run over. The story does not appear in any official biography or verified news report. His more discreet smile is a personal trait, not the result of an accident. This is just another emotionally charged fake news story circulating about the pontiff.
Fake news ❌
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