Overview
- The Catholic Church marks December 28 as a remembrance of the children killed under Herod as recounted in the Gospel of Matthew.
- Over centuries the observance absorbed medieval role‑reversal customs, turning a solemn memorial into a day for jokes and harmless deceptions.
- In Mexico the tradition includes the préstamo prank and the revealing phrase “Inocente palomita…,” with media and brands posting fictitious announcements.
- Some historians question the historicity of the massacre, noting the episode appears only in Matthew and lacks independent contemporary records.
- With platforms and news sites staging inocentadas in 2025, outlets advise verifying surprising claims and avoiding pranks that could mislead or cause harm.