Pope Francis recently issued an apology after reports surfaced that he used a homophobic slur during a private conversation with Italian bishops. The Vatican extended the apology to those offended by the Pope’s remarks, emphasizing his previous statements that “in the Church there is room for everyone, for everyone! Nobody is useless; nobody is superfluous — there is room for everyone.”
According to Italian newspapers La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, the Pope used the term “frociaggine” while discussing the Catholic Church’s stance on gay priests. The term, considered vulgar and offensive in Italian, sparked an immediate backlash, leading to the Vatican’s public apology.
Despite the controversy, Pope Francis has been recognized for his efforts to steer the Catholic Church toward a more inclusive stance regarding the LGBT community. His famous 2013 remark, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?” marked a significant shift in the Church’s dialogue on homosexuality. Additionally, he has allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, further demonstrating a more accepting approach.
However, the Pope continues to maintain the Church’s official policy, which bars individuals who practice homosexuality, exhibit deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support “gay culture” from admission to the seminary or holy orders. This policy has been in place since 2005, approved under Pope Benedict XVI.
The recent incident occurred as bishops proposed amendments to the guidelines for seminary candidates, highlighting ongoing discussions within the Church regarding its position on homosexuality and the priesthood.
