Question

An inverted cross near Pope Francis’ coffin is a satanic symbol.

Answer 1

Not only is this blatantly false, but even in the comments of the Reddit post posing as a source for your claim, the Reddit users explain that this is false.

Firstly, the upside down cross is not a satanic symbol. Though it has been adopted by some satanic groups, the roots of the upside down cross (known as the petrine cross) are deeply religious because it comes from the death of St. Peter, one of Jesus' disciples, who thought himself unworthy to be crucified as Jesus was, and so was crucified upside down.

The reason this symbol was near Pope Francis' casket (not a coffin, coffins have 6 sides, caskets have 4) is because the Catholic church considers St. Peter to have been the first pope, and as a result, this symbol pays homage to him within the basilica

https://www.revshirleymurphy.co.uk/post/st-peter-s-cross

https://www.catholic.com/tract/origins-of-peter-as-pope

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/inverted-cross-near-pope-francis-coffin-was-catholic-symbol-not-satanic-one-2025-05-05/#:~:text=In%20the%20context%20of%20the,the%20Reuters%20Fact%20Check%20team.

Comments

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your fact check because it was clear and concise. You really made an effort to make sure that all the facts were correct so that no misinformation was spread. Misinformation is really easy to spread, especially on sites like Reddit. You made sure to get reputable sources that made everything check out and I appreciate that.

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The information on St. Peter's cross and the coffin/casket differences are insightful and incredibly necessary for the subject at hand. I think that this fact-check is fantastic. Well done!

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This is a very insightful answer. It is easy for things to get misconstrued and you did a great job clarifying everything very thoroughly.

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You did a good job with this answer. It was all very straightforward and clear. I think you give a lot of good background and information, along with your sources that you provide. It is easy for people to assume this without being educated first.

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Not only is this claim blatantly false, but even users in the original Reddit thread where this was shared point out it's misinformation. The inverted cross isn’t inherently satanic — while some satanic or anti-religious groups have co-opted it, its origins are deeply Christian. It's called the Petrine Cross, a reference to Saint Peter, who, according to tradition, was crucified upside down out of humility, believing he wasn’t worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus.

The reason this symbol appeared near Pope Francis’ casket (not coffin — coffins have six sides, caskets have four) is because the Catholic Church views St. Peter as the first pope. So displaying his symbol inside St. Peter’s Basilica — named after him — is not only appropriate but expected. It’s a traditional part of Catholic iconography, not a satanic symbol.

Citing sources like Truth Social or Newsmax without verifying through established outlets is part of how these conspiracies spread. For actual context, I recommend:

Reuters Fact Check

Catholic Answers on St. Peter

Rev. Shirley Murphy’s blog on St. Peter’s Cross

This symbol isn’t satanic — it’s a reminder of humility and sacrifice in Catholic tradition.

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This was a very good response and I'm glad you dived in on St. Peters Cross. Many people are unaware that the upside down cross can be representative of St. Peters cross. This is not always true however because it is depending on the context in which it is used as you mentioned where Satanic groups may use upside down crosses. Great response.

Answer 2

This claim was posted on reddit and the image contains a Newsmax logo and it was posted on truth social. None of those sites are credible news sources. They are public forums where many conspiracy theories are posted and not fact checked. When I googled this claim about the cross, I found a Reuters fact check article that sheds light on this claim. This article does say that some people consider the upside down cross to be a satanic symbol. However, it doesn't specify who those people are. It then reports that the upside down crucifix is a symbol of Saint Peter. He was crucified and wanted to be crucified upside down because he didn't think he was worthy of being crucified the same way as Jesus. Since this image was at the St. Peter's Basilica it's more likely that the upside down cross represents St. Peter and not Satan.

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/inverted-cross-near-pope-francis-coffin-was-catholic-symbol-not-satanic-one-2025-05-05/

Comments

Great answer! The source you linked was perfect, as it provided even more sources for certain topics regarding the reasoning for this claim.

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This is a great fact check—clear, well-researched, and super reasonable. You did a solid job calling out unreliable sources and backing up your explanation with a credible Reuters article. I really liked how you clarified the actual meaning behind the symbol without jumping to conclusions. Well done!

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Very strong response because just reading the claim, it sounded ridiculous. I like how you mentioned the sources you found and which ones you believed to be trustworthy. The article helped to clear up the reasoning for this and explain why others might have believed otherwise.

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Great fact check. The way you brought the evidences from the claim into the fact check was very strong.

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You explained this really well! I like how you broke down the credibility of the sources and brought in the historical context about Saint Peter. It makes the argument way more grounded and clear. The connection to St. Peter’s Basilica especially strengthens your point and helps clarify why the image was likely misunderstood. Solid job cutting through the misinformation and backing it up with a reputable fact-check.

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This is a well researched fact check. You have a well informed source and explained the evidence in a way that was easy to follow. You called out unreliable sources and also gave context to why they are unreliable

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This answer provides a thoughtful and accurate explanation of the claim. It correctly points out the lack of credibility in sources like Truth Social and Newsmax for verified news, and it supports its argument with a reliable Reuters fact-check. The clarification about the upside-down cross being a symbol of Saint Peter, rather than a satanic symbol, is essential context that helps dispel the misinformation.

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Good job on pointing out the sources in your factcheck, especially your focus on the history of the upside-down cross! I think it would be helpful to also dive a little deeper into the context of how these symbols are used in modern culture. For example, the upside-down cross has been used in pop culture, like in movies or music, where it may have different connotations depending on the context. But you're right about the historical context of Saint Peter. Adding this nuance could strengthen your point that the claim about the cross being 'satanic' is misleading in this specific case. Also, I agree with you that the origin of the claim on Truth Social makes it less reliable, as those platforms are not typically fact-checked.

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This was a solid fact-check, and I agree with your verdict — but I really appreciated that you pointed out how the original image came from sources like Newsmax, Reddit, and Truth Social. That’s super important context since all of those platforms are known for spreading misinformation without editorial standards. I also saw the Reuters article you mentioned, and I think it’s key that they explain the inverted cross has a completely different meaning in Catholic tradition. The fact that the image was taken at St. Peter’s Basilica — literally named after the saint the symbol refers to — makes it even more obvious this wasn’t “satanic.” It’s wild how often people repurpose ancient Christian symbols to push conspiracies.

Answer 3

The idea of an inverted cross being satanic comes from misinformation, Hollywood exaggerations, and lack of education around the Bible. It is true that many believe the upside down cross to represent satanism or a mockery of Christ--and use it as such--though the actual origins are completely different; the inverted cross references St. Peter's request as he believed himself unworthy of dying the same death as Jesus Christ. Since Catholics believe St. Peter to have been the first Pope, the inverted crucifix was fitting for the scene.
The origins of your claim do happen to align with a general misconception/idea so I can see where it might have appeared to be true, but reddit answers should always be followed up by checking against a more reliable source.
 

"Papacy." Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/papacy. Accessed 9 May 2025.

"Saint Peter." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter#:~:text=Saint%20Peter%20(born%201%20BC,the%20first%20bishop%20of%20Antioch.

"Inverted Cross." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_cross#:~:text=Christian%20symbolism,-Main%20article:%20Cross&text=The%20inverted%20cross%20is%20traditionally,as%20a%20symbol%20of%20humility.

u/PerennialMemory. "Why Is the Inverted Cross Considered Satanic?" Reddit, r/religion, 8 Aug. 2020, https://www.reddit.com/r/religion/comments/i59d7h/why_is_the_inverted_cross_considered_satanic/.

Burnham, Jonathon. "The Upside-Down Cross: Satanic or Symbolic?" Catholic Answers, https://www.catholic.com/magazine/online-edition/the-upside-down-cross-satanic-or-symbolic.

Comments

Your response is both very informative, and accurately states that the statement is false. While some of your sources could be considered so-so in the eyes of someone who wants those good primary sources, they still convey accurate information.

Answer 4

The claim that an inverted cross near Pope Francis’ coffin is a satanic symbol is false. This misunderstanding stems from a conflation of two distinct uses of the inverted cross: one rooted in Christian tradition and the other in modern anti-Christian symbolism. Historically, the inverted cross is known as the Cross of Saint Peter or the Petrine Cross. According to Christian tradition, Saint Peter, one of Jesus's apostles and the first pope, was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. This act symbolizes humility and martyrdom, and as a result, the inverted cross became a symbol associated with Saint Peter and the papacy. The Catholic Church has used the inverted cross in various contexts to honor Saint Peter. For example, Pope John Paul II used a chair adorned with the Petrine Cross during his visit to Israel in 2000 (Catholic News Agency, 2000; EWTN Library).

In contrast, the inverted cross has been adopted in modern times by some anti-Christian groups and in popular culture as a symbol of opposition to Christianity. This usage is a deliberate inversion of Christian symbols to convey rebellion or blasphemy. However, the modern appropriation does not negate the inverted cross's original and longstanding significance within Christian tradition (Encyclopedia Britannica; "Inverted Cross" - Encyclopedia of Christianity).

Therefore, the presence of an inverted cross in association with the Pope or the Vatican is not indicative of satanic symbolism. Instead, it reflects a deeply rooted Christian tradition honoring Saint Peter's humility and martyrdom. Misinterpretations often arise when symbols are viewed without understanding their historical and cultural contexts. For more information, see Catholic News Agency and Encyclopedia Britannica.

Comments

I enjoyed reading your factcheck as you have excellent sources and a lot of knowledge on this topic. The inclusion of details about Saint Peter was very insightful and added much needed context.

Answer 5

After checking the post, the inverted cross is most likely the Cross of Saint Peter and not meant to be any sort of satanic imagery. Given his status as the pope of the Catholic Church, it makes sense to utilize a symbol of humility out of respect for his passing.

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/inverted-cross-near-pope-francis-coffin-was-catholic-symbol-not-satanic-one-2025-05-05/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Saint_Peter#History

Answer 6

This claim is missing context. After researching, I've seen many people claim that the upside down crosses on and around Pope Francis' coffin are satanic symbols. The first claims about the upside down cross on his coffin is simply people viewing the coffin from behind where it would appear to be upside down. Many of the claims show the "proof" as images found online and stills from videos of the coffin being carried away from the camera. The claim about the upside down cross near the Pope's coffin are missing information about the crucifixion of St. Peter, a catholic saint who was crucified upside down. He asked to be crucified upside down so as to not put himself at the level of Jesus Christ. With this context, as St. Peter as one of Jesus' disciples, it makes sense why there are upside down crosses in these images as they honor the saint.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ParlerWatch/comments/1k8al19/anyone_got_a_hand_truck/

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/inverted-cross-near-pope-francis-coffin-was-catholic-symbol-not-satanic-one-2025-05-05/#:~:text=Fact%20Check-,Fact%20Check%3A%20Inverted%20cross%20near%20Pope%20Francis'%20coffin%20was%20a,symbol%2C%20not%20a%20satanic%20one&text=Inverted%20crosses%20visible%20as%20Pope,not%20a%20reference%20to%20satanism.

https://www.mdrevelation.org/the-crucifixion-of-st-peter/

Answer 7

The claim “an inverted cross near Pope Francis’ coffin is a satanic symbol” is incorrect and stems from a reddit post made from false information. Reddit is on online forum that does not require their posts to be factual. An inverted cross, or more specifically an upside down crucifix is a symbol that belongs to Saint Peter, the patron saint of Rome. Saint Peter was a martyr who chose to be crucified upside down because he did not believe he was owed the same honor as being crucified the way that Jesus was. Saint Peter was also considered to be the first pope so the symbol was on the coffin as a way to show appreciation to Saint Peter. It is also worth noting that Pope Francis was buried in a casket and not a coffin. 

My sources below:

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/inverted-cross-near-pope-francis-coffin-was-catholic-symbol-not-satanic-one-2025-05-05/#:~:text=In%20the%20context%20of%20the,the%20Reuters%20Fact%20Check%20team

https://www.catholic.com/tract/origins-of-peter-as-pope

Answer 8

This Reddit post contains a screenshot from the site TruthSocial, a social media site owned by Donald Trump that is not a credible news source and is regarded to be unreliable due to its lack of fact-checking and claims of censorship, as documented by Pew Research Center. As well as this, the photo linked in the post is taken from Newsmax, a right-leaning media outlet that faced a defamation lawsuit in 2021 for spreading false information about the 2020 election. Thus, neither of these sites are reliable sources.

The inverted cross depicted on Pope Francis' coffin is known as St. Peter's cross, a symbol which in Catholicism has represented humility and reverence for God after St. Peter was martyred and crucified upside down around 64 AD. Although the upside down cross has held some atheistic and anti-Christian connotation in modern popular media, within the context of Pope Francis' recent funeral (held in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City), it is used with its traditional meaning and therefore is not a Satanic symbol.

Answer 9

This satanic inverted cross supposed to be near Pope Francis' coffin rumor was originally reported by Reddit and Truth Social sites that do not have editorial oversight and often amplify conspiracy theories. The Reuters fact-check piece (5 May 2025) expertly dismantles this canard by pointing out that, although some cults being associatively alluded to here do indeed use the inverted cross as a symbol (who these unspecified groups are is anyone's guess), the sign is most definitely the Cross of St. Peter in Christian Lore. As Reuters reports, St. Peter asked that he be crucified upside down in humility, so this could be a reverent symbol, particularly inside St. Peter's Basilica, where the image is said to have materialized. Crucially, Reuters has no evidence the Catholic Church has ever used that symbol in a satanic context, and the onus is on those making the sensational claim. Reuters is the recipient of the unverified claim and is a reliable news organization interviewing Vatican experts: the satanic explanation comes only from those unverified social media posts. The claim does not withstand scrutiny. The Reuters article that the viral posts are referencing actually includes the inverted cross's real religious meaning and makes them factually inaccurate.  

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/inverted-cross-near-pope-francis-coffin-was-catholic-symbol-not-satanic-one-2025-05-05/

Answer 10

There are two main claims here that need to be addressed:

1. Pope Francis had an upside-down cross constructed on his coffin.

2. The "Upside-down cross" is a satanic symbol.

The first claim is from a screenshot posted to Reddit from a website called Truth Social. The platform is advertised to generally right-leaning and conservative members of the public as a place to discuss and share common ideology. This screenshot showed a post of a picture of Pope Francis's coffin, and someone commented that the cross was upside down and claimed that he worshipped satan because of it. The aforementioned picture was taken from the head of the coffin, effectively reversing the imaging placed on top. Seen from another angle (see CNA source), the cross is right-side-up, with other glyphs and an open text beneath it.

The second claim is that the upside-down cross is a symbol associated with satan. While it is true that many anti-Christian groups have used it as a symbol to defy the religion, the symbol does have deep roots in Roman Catholic theology. Saint Peter, an important founding figure in the Catholic Church, was martyred by fire bound to an upside down cross. as such, according to catholic.org, "[St. Peter's] symbols include an inverted cross, a boat, and the cock". 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/263665/pope-francis-coffin-closed-in-private-ceremony-in-st-peter-s-basilica

https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=5358

Comments

I appreciate how you recognized that two claims were being made in the original post and addressed both claims separately. While they are both false, it is important to not only address that the cross wasn't upside down, but that this symbol isn't satanic even if it was an upside down cross.

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*Saint Peter was crucified this way; there was no fire. That was a false memory of mine, but the original answer to the claim still stands.