Vatican City, 09 October, 2023 / 1:00 pm (ACI Africa).
Claim: More than 100 participants in the Synod on Synodality, taking place at the Vatican Oct. 4–29, had “tested positive for COVID-19” and were absent from the gathering for this reason on Oct. 9.
CNA finds: The Vatican cardinal responsible for the Synod of Bishops said Oct. 9 that “only four people have told us that they stayed at home because they have COVID.”
Breakdown: A Vatican News article in Italian momentarily misreported on Oct. 9 that 118 synod participants have COVID, attributing the statement to Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops. The article was later corrected. CNA reviewed the original article before the correction was made and an archived version of the article. Vatican News is the Vatican’s state-owned media outlet.
In livestreamed remarks reviewed by CNA, Grech said “some participants are not with us in the hall this morning because among them, at least some of them, have resulted positive for COVID. So, to be cautious, they will not participate in the work for the next few days. Above all, we hope everyone recovers as soon as possible.”
Later, Grech clarified that “only four people” had communicated that they were positive for COVID. The cardinal said in total, 15 people were missing from that morning’s session, including several bishops and heads of dicasteries occupied with meetings.
