ITV wrongly announce the Pope's death in awkward Christmas Day live blunder
An ITV newsreader wrongly announced the death of the Pope on live television during an awkward Christmas Day blunder.
Journalist and presenter Kylie Pentelow mistakenly began announcing the death of the leader of the Catholic Church, before swiftly ending the segment in a toe-curling exchange on Saturday evening.
Ms Pentelow was reporting on the Pontiff's Christmas Day address in the Vatican City, explaining how he implored world leaders to make vaccines available 'to those most in need'.She then went on to say, 'his death was announced', before realising her mistake and quickly adding: 'excuse me' as the segment ended.
Pope Francis, 85, had led the Catholic church since 2013 when he replaced Benedict XVI.
Francis today prayed for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, using his Christmas Day address to urge health care for all, vaccines for the poor and for dialogue to prevail in resolving the world's conflict.
ITV journalist and presenter Kylie Pentelow mistakenly began announcing the death of the leader of the Catholic Church, before swiftly ending the segment in a toe-curling exchange on Saturday evening
Many Twitter commenters seemed to revel in the embarrassing gaffe that was broadcasted to ITV's live audience.
Sheenagh McCann wrote: 'This has just made me laugh so much. Good old Pope Francis still alive and well!'
Meanwhile, Jack quipped: 'Christmas Day episodes are always so predictable. There’s either always a death or a wedding. Sometimes both, but always at least one.'
And Stephen Brooks jokingly simulated a discussion Ms Pentelow might be having with her family once her shift ends: 'How was work?
'Accidentally announced the death of The Pope on national TV.'
ITV News has been contacted for comment.
Amid a record-setting rise in COVID-19 cases in Italy this week, only a few thousand people flocked to a rain-soaked St. Peter's Square for Francis' annual 'Urbi et Orbi' (To the city and the world) Christmas address.
Normally the square would be packed with tens of thousands of holiday well-wishers, but many will be grateful they were able to visit the square at all this Christmas, after last year's lockdown forced Francis to deliver a televised address from inside the Apostolic Palace.
Pope Francis waves to the gathered faithful following his Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican on December 25, 2021.
Amid a record-setting rise in COVID-19 cases in Italy this week, only a few thousand people flocked to a rain-soaked St. Peter's Square for Francis' annual 'Urbi et Orbi' (To the city and the world) Christmas address.The Pope's Christmas Day balcony message was preceded by Midnight Mass, during which Francis called on the faithful to value the 'little things in life' and show solidarity with the poor.
An estimated 2,000 members of the public and 200 religious figures attended the mass at St Peter's Basilica, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing as part of measures against the coronavirus, the Vatican's press office said.
Those who had not managed to grab a ticket watched on huge screens outside the church.
A maskless Francis processed down the central aisle of the basilica as the Sistine Chapel choir sang Noel, kicking off the Vatican's Christmas holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.
Across the world, worshippers were also seen gathering for annual masses in cities in the US, in Sri Lanka, Iraq, Kenya and Russia.
The Vatican went ahead with its service despite the resurgence in Covid-19 cases that has prompted a new vaccine mandate for Vatican employees.
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