Pope Francis Apologizes for Using Derogatory Term Towards LGBT Community
Pope Francis has issued an apology after reports surfaced that he used a highly derogatory term to describe the LGBT community during a private meeting. The Vatican confirmed that the Pope used the Italian term “frociaggine”, which roughly translates to “f****try”, when discussing whether gay men should be allowed to train for the priesthood while remaining celibate.
The incident reportedly took place on May 20 during a meeting with Italian bishops behind closed doors. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that the Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who were offended by the reported use of the term.
The Vatican has a longstanding ban on gay priests, as articulated in documents from 2005 and 2016. Despite this, the Pope has been known for his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics, with a commitment to creating a welcoming Catholic Church for all individuals.
While Italian is not the Pope’s native language, he has faced criticism in the past for linguistic gaffes. However, his efforts to embrace LGBTQ+ individuals within the Catholic Church have been widely recognized, including his famous “Who am I to judge?” comment in 2013 regarding a priest with a gay past.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respectful language and inclusivity within religious institutions, as Pope Francis continues to navigate complex issues surrounding the LGBT community.