Pope Francis has apologized for using a homophobic slur during a private meeting with Italian bishops on May 20, 2024.
The term, which was reported by several Italian news outlets, sparked widespread outrage and controversy within the Catholic Church and beyond.
As a result, the Vatican issued a statement on Tuesday May 28 clarifying the Pope’s remarks.
“Pope Francis is aware of the articles that have come out recently concerning a conversation he had with bishops behind closed doors,” said the Vatican in the statement.
Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman, said the head of the Catholic Church did not intend to offend anyone and has apologized to that effect.
“The Pope never intended to offend or employ homophobic language. He apologizes to anyone who was hurt by the reported term,” noted Bruni.
Bruni emphasized that the Pope’s intention was not to cause offense or harm, and that he remains committed to a welcoming Church for all, where “nobody is useless, nobody is superfluous, (where) there is room for everyone.”
However, the Pope’s remark considered homophobic sparked widespread outrage and concern within the LGBTQ+ community and their allies.
The Controversy Behind the Pope’s Remarks
The controversy began when Italian media outlets reported that during a closed-door session with bishops in Rome, Pope Francis had allegedly used the derogatory Italian term “frociaggine,”
According to the reports, the 87-year-old Pope was discussing the issue of allowing openly gay men to undergo training for the priesthood at Catholic seminaries.
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The Vatican had previously established a rule in 2005 prohibiting the ordination of men with “active homosexual tendencies” or “deep-rooted homosexual inclinations.”
In the meeting, the Pope reportedly expressed opposition to the idea, stating that while it was crucial to welcome everyone, it might lead the individual in question to live a duplicitous life.
He then allegedly used the offensive term to express his concerns.
Many have since called for the Pope to clarify his stance on LGBTQ+ issues and to issue a formal apology to the community.
The Pope’s Efforts to Foster Inclusivity
Despite the Pope’s previous efforts to foster a more inclusive relationship between the Catholic Church and the LGBTQ+ community, this incident has raised questions about the Church’s stance on the issue.
During his 11-year tenure, the Pope has been credited with adopting an inclusive tone towards the gay community, famously saying in 2013, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?”
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This statement was seen as a major shift in the Church’s approach to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Additionally, he has also taken proactive steps, such as allowing priests to offer informal blessings for same-sex couples.
However, when it comes to gay men joining the clergy, Francis has maintained the Vatican’s official stance, which prohibits the ordination of men with active homosexual tendencies.
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