Claim: Weblog232, a Sierra Leonean blog, posted a viral video of the newly elected Pope Leo XIV, claiming that the Pope has been accused of ignoring the LGBTQ+ flag.
Verdict: Misleading! Our investigation proves that the rainbow-coloured flag in the video is not an LGBTQ+ flag but the Italian Peace flag.
Full Text:
Pope Leo XIV, also known as Father Robert Prevost, recently ascended the Papacy as the first American to achieve such a feat.
But the newly elected Pope has come under serious scrutiny for a statement he had made in 2012, condemning “homosexual lifestyle” as reported by The Guardian.
A popular blog, Weblog232, posted a viral video of Pope Leo XIV during a Vatican event, claiming that the Pope has been accused of ignoring the LGBTQ+ flag.
Three hours after Weblog232 posted the video on Facebook, it gained 206 likes, 23 comments and five shares.
The video was also seen here, here, and here, hitting more likes and more shares among Facebook users.
The video has sparked mixed views and reactions, with many believing that Pope Leo XIV has ignored the LGBTQ flag.
DUBAWA decided to review the video due to its mandate to amplify truth.
Verification
We closely observed that the rainbow-colored flag was not the LGBTQ+ flag (Pride flag) but the Italian peace flag.
The flags are slightly identical, with their visual symbols and colours being quickly misunderstood by social media users.
What are the Differences between The LGBTQ and The Italian Peace Flag?
- The LGBTQ+ flag, also known as the Pride Flag, symbolises pride and social movement deeply connected to the LGBTQ+ community.
- The LGBTQ+ flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978, has six striped colours: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple.
- Unlike the LGBTQ+ flag, the Italian Peace Flag has seven stripes of colours: purple, blue, light blue, green, yellow, orange, and red. The Italian Peace flag is a symbol of peace, particularly in Italy, and it serves as an Anti-war flag.
- The LGBTQ+ flag is arranged in reverse order to the Italian flag.
- The Italian Peace flag was designed by Aldo Capitini in 1961.
The Italian Peace Flag (L) & the LGBTQ+ flag (R)
Further evidence can be found here, here and here.
Conclusion
DUBAWA’s careful review of the viral video proves that the rainbow-coloured flag is an Italian Peace flag and not an LGBTQ+ flag.