Pope Francis has issued an apology after using a derogatory term to describe the LGBT community. The incident occurred during a private meeting with Italian bishops last week. The Vatican has clarified the Pope’s intentions and apologized to those offended.
Incident Details
The controversial remark was first reported by the Italian political gossip website Dagospia. According to the report, Pope Francis used the Italian term “frociaggine,” which translates roughly to “f****try” in English. This incident happened on May 20, during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops.
Context of the Meeting
The Pope was speaking to the Italian Bishops’ Conference, which had recently approved a new document regarding the training of Italian seminarians. This document has not yet been published as it awaits review by the Holy See. During the meeting, the bishops discussed the possibility of allowing gay men to train for the priesthood, provided they remained celibate.
Pope Francis’s Apology
Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesman, issued a statement on Tuesday addressing the incident. Bruni explained that Pope Francis never intended to offend or use homophobic language. He apologized to those who felt hurt by the term, emphasizing the Pope’s commitment to a welcoming Church. Bruni reiterated the Pope’s belief that “nobody is useless, nobody is superfluous, [and] there is room for everyone” in the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis’s Record on LGBTQ+ Issues
Despite this incident, Pope Francis has been known for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics. In 2013, he made headlines with his comment, “Who am I to judge?” in response to a question about a priest with a past gay relationship. The Pope’s efforts to create a more inclusive Church have been noted, though his recent comment has sparked controversy.
Language Barriers
It is important to note that Italian is not Pope Francis’s native language. The Argentine Pope, now 87 years old, has made linguistic mistakes in the past that have caused misunderstandings.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension within the Catholic Church regarding LGBTQ+ issues. While Pope Francis has worked to promote inclusivity, this episode serves as a reminder of the delicate nature of language and the impact of words, especially from such a prominent figure. The Vatican’s prompt apology aims to reaffirm its commitment to a welcoming and inclusive Church for all.
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