Pope Francis Apologizes for Using Vulgar Term About Gays
Vatican City – Pope Francis issued an apology on Tuesday after being quoted using a vulgar term about gays during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops on May 20. The Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni, acknowledged the media storm that erupted following the reports of Francis’ comments.
Italian media had reported that Francis used the term “faggotness” in Italian while reaffirming the Catholic Church’s ban on gay priests. Bruni clarified that the Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms and extended his apologies to those who were offended by the reported use of the term.
During the meeting with the Italian bishops, Francis reportedly joked about the presence of “faggotness” in seminaries, emphasizing the Vatican’s ban on allowing gay men to enter seminaries and be ordained priests. This reaffirmation of the ban aligns with previous Vatican documents from 2005 and 2016 that prohibit the admission or ordination of men who practice homosexuality or support the gay culture.
Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, Pope Francis has been known for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, emphasizing inclusivity and acceptance within the Catholic Church. This incident highlights the challenges of language barriers and informal speech for the 87-year-old Argentine pope, who has previously made linguistic gaffes but remains committed to promoting a message of tolerance and understanding.