A viral AI-generated image of Pope Francis wearing a stylish white Balenciaga puffer jacket fooled millions online, highlighting how deepfakes can seamlessly blur reality and influence public perception.

The claim that a viral AI-generated image of Pope Francis wearing a stylish white Balenciaga puffer jacket fooled millions online is accurate. This image was created using AI tools like Midjourney and was widely shared on social media, leading many to believe it was real due to its realistic appearance. The incident highlights the potential of deepfakes to blur reality and influence public perception, as discussed in various reports CBS News Washington Post New York Times.