Pope Francis on Saturday condemned “disinformation” and fake news, which, in trying to influence public opinion, are “the first sin of journalism,” AFP reported.

“Disinformation is the first of the sins, errors, let’s say, of journalism,” he said during an audience in the Vatican for the presentation of a journalism award in the presence of Italian journalists.

“Disinformation is one of the sins of journalism. There are four of them: disinformation, when a journalist does not inform or misinforms; slander (sometimes used); defamation, which is different from slander but destructive; and the fourth (.. . ), the love of scandal,” the Argentine Pope was quoted as saying in a Vatican statement.

“For example, I am concerned about the manipulation of those who spread fake news to influence public opinion,” he explained, calling for an “explosion of responsibility” in “the dramatic situation that Europe is going through, with the continuation of the war in Ukraine.”

“I hope that we will give space to the voices of peace, to those who are committed to ending this conflict, and to many others,” he insisted.

A gifted communicator, the 86-year-old Argentine pope, who is due to visit Mongolia next week, has given numerous interviews since his election, appearing far more open and comfortable with the exercise than his predecessor, Benedict XVI.