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Pope Francis, Easter & Columbia University

Pope Francis, Easter & Columbia University

Plus: NYPD never publicly stated Trump was 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighed 287 pounds

Izz LaMagdeleine
April 22, 2025

TUESDAY EDITION

Snopes Debunker

Two white men sit across from each other. Another white man stand inbetween them to the side.

No proof Pope Francis skipped meeting with JD Vance during Easter Vatican visit

As news of the death of Pope Francis yesterday spread around the world, claims also circulated that shortly before the pontiff's passing, he skipped a meeting with Vice President JD Vance.

However, there was no proof that Francis "skipped" a meeting with Vance over Easter weekend 2025, a claim that appeared to originate from a since-updated report on The Daily Beast. Rather, Vance and the pope met briefly on Easter Sunday in a meeting both parties documented. Snopes reporter Laerke Christensen has the details.

A white man holds his arms open next to a large Easter bunny. A white woman stands with her back to the camera. A large group of people is seen behind them.

Trump's Easter message attacked political opponents, judges, law enforcement and others

Social media users lamented the president's failing to mention Jesus, forgiveness, resurrection or other Easter messages in his Truth Social post.

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Snopes has been busy fact-checking political claims, including Trump’s Easter message, which we featured above. We need your help to keep doing this work. By building our membership, we will be able to continue cutting straight to the facts on any subject our readers are interested in. We appreciate any support you can give.

A white woman wearing a cross necklace speaks at a podium. Several people stand behind her to the side.

Rumors about US Attorney General Pam Bondi we've fact-checked

No, the former Florida attorney general was not punished for wearing a cross necklace.

A tall white teenager in a dark graduation gown and red stole.

Unpacking claim Barron Trump was rejected from Harvard, Columbia, Stanford

Claims about Barron Trump being rejected from various universities spread amid his father's threats to withhold federal funding from the institutions.

A woman with dark hair lightening to blonde speaks in front of a large number of microphones at what appears to be a news conference. She is accompanied by many other people, some of whom are holding signs protesting the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia's wife confirms she filed protective order, says they worked out problems with counseling

While Jennifer Sura Vasquez sought a temporary protective order for alleged physical assault, she said her family resolved the issue privately.

Staff Pick

A white man turns to wave at the entrance to a plane. A white woman and man stand to his left and right respectively.

NYPD never publicly stated Trump was 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighed 287 pounds

The White House revealed Trump's latest medical report featuring his height and weight in April.