News
Record-smashing heat in California as wildfires burn statewide
National, Wisconsin contests steady amid protests — CBS News poll
Jacob Blake shares message from hospital bed
Gender-reveal "pyrotechnic" blamed for huge California wildfire
No. 1-ranked Djokovic out at U.S. Open for hitting linesperson with ball
Gottlieb: Likelihood "extremely low" for COVID vaccine in 2020
Judge temporarily stops Census Bureau ending count month early
5 boats sink at Trump boat parade on Texas' Lake Travis
Lou Brock, Hall of Fame outfielder, has died at 81
2020 Elections
Battleground Tracker: Latest polls, state of the race and more
5 things to know about CBS News' 2020 Battleground Tracker
2020 Republican National Convention
Republicans see U.S. as better off now than 4 years ago: CBS News poll
Takeaways from the Democratic National Convention
With more mail-in ballots, officials urge patience on election night
Americans and the right to vote: Why it's not easy for everyone
Democrats are happy with Biden's VP pick: CBS News poll
Why some mail-in ballots are rejected and how to make sure your vote counts
What happens if the president doesn't accept the election results?
Election Day could turn into "Election Week" with rise in mail ballots
Shows
Live
LIVE
More
Search
Search:Live
Watch CBSN Live
2nd wave of coronavirus could be weeks away, experts warn
2nd wave of coronavirus could be weeks away, ...
01:44
Pope Francis said Sunday that gossiping is a "plague worse than COVID" that is seeking to divide the Catholic Church. Francis strayed from his prepared text to double down on his frequent complaint about gossiping within church communities and even within the Vatican bureaucracy.
Francis didn't give specifics during his weekly blessing, but went on at some length to say the devil is the "biggest gossiper" who is seeking to divide the church with his lies.
Pope Francis delivers the Angelus noon prayer from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020.
Gregorio Borgia / AP
"Please brothers and sisters, let's try to not gossip," he said. "Gossip is a plague worse than COVID. Worse. Let's make a big effort: No gossiping!"
The coronavirus has killed more than 889,000 worldwide, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins.
Francis' comments came as he elaborated on a Gospel passage about the need to correct others privately when they do something wrong. The Catholic hierarchy has long relied on this "fraternal correction" among priests and bishops to correct them when they err without airing problems in public.
Survivors of sexual abuse have said this form of private reprimand has allowed abuse to fester in the church and let both predator priests and superiors who covered up for them escape punishment.
Be in the know. Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
View CBS News In
CBS News App
Open
Safari
Continue