Verdict FALSE

FALSE — The 'Drip' is Fake: Pope's Puffer Jacket is AI

Verified on March 13, 2026

That viral photo of Pope Francis in a Balenciaga puffer? It's a Midjourney AI creation, not a real outfit.

Confidence100%

How strongly independent, cited sources support this verdict.

Claim reviewed

An image circulated online showing Pope Francis wearing a stylish, oversized white Balenciaga-style puffer jacket while walking in Vatican City.

Analysis summary

The image was confirmed to be an AI-generated creation from Midjourney and not a real photograph.

Key findings

  • The image was created using the AI tool Midjourney by a 31-year-old construction worker from Chicago named Pablo Xavier.
  • The photo first appeared on the subreddit r/midjourney in March 2023 before spreading to Twitter and TikTok.
  • Vatican officials and multiple fact-checking organizations confirmed the image is a digital fabrication and not a real photograph.

Sources

Analyzed across 3 independent publishers

Fact Check: Image of Pope Francis in a puffer jacket is AI-generated Reuters That viral image of Pope Francis in a puffer coat is fake AP News That Viral Image Of Pope Francis Wearing A White Puffer Coat Is Totally Fake Forbes

Citations

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