Fact Check: Did Pope Leo XIV read Karoline Leavitt’s resume on CNN and say 'do your research'?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral post claims that Pope Leo XIV read White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s resume live on CNN and criticized her stance on fossil fuel policy. The post also urges science-based climate action over political considerations. 

Featuring a composite image of Leavitt, the Pope, and Jake Tapper, the claim has spread online amid broader discussions about real tensions between the Vatican and the Trump administration over energy and environmental policy. Let's fact-check the claim.

Claim: Pope Leo XIV read Karoline Leavitt’s resume during CNN live

According to an X post shared by @Gianl1974, a viral claim alleged that Pope Leo XIV read Karoline Leavitt’s resume during a live CNN segment and told viewers, “Do your research before you speak.”

The post claimed that CNN anchor Jake Tapper introduced the exchange by saying Leavitt had described the Pope as “out of touch” and “overly emotional,” and suggested he should better understand energy policy before offering criticism. It stated that Tapper expected a strong reaction from the Pope.

It further alleged that the Pope then read from a document and said: “Karoline Leavitt — campaign spokesperson known for messaging defending fossil fuels. Supports expanded domestic oil and gas drilling. Has criticized net-zero carbon goals as ‘unrealistic.’ No professional background in climate science. No participation in international environmental negotiations.”

According to the post, the Pope then looked into the camera and said, “Jake, tell her I’ve done my homework. And I hope she does the same — based on science, not slogans. When we talk about the future of our planet, this is not merely about politics or image. It is about truth, and about our moral responsibility to care for our common home.” The post concluded by claiming the studio fell silent as the segment continued live.

Fact Check: Pope Leo XIV did not appear on CNN to speak about Karoline Leavitt

The claim circulating online about Pope Leo and Karoline Leavitt is false. The viral post fabricates a CNN interview in which Pope Leo XIV allegedly read Karoline Leavitt’s resume on air. No such interview took place, and there are no reports, videos, transcripts, or credible mentions from CNN, Vatican News, or any other reliable outlet showing Pope Leo XIV appearing on CNN with Jake Tapper to discuss Leavitt.

Community notes and user replies also flagged the post as fake. Community note stated, “There is no record of Pope Leo XIV appearing on CNN with Jake Tapper to read Karoline Leavitt's résumé. On April 22, 2026, the Pope was in Equatorial Guinea for a Holy Mass during his Africa trip."

Notably, he was in Equatorial Guinea during the final leg of an 11-day apostolic visit to Africa (April 13–23, 2026), which included stops in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. On that day, he celebrated Holy Mass at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mongomo, visited a technical school, traveled to Bata, visited a prison, and met with families and young people, carrying out pastoral duties rather than participating in any CNN interview in the United States.