Pope Francis has found himself embroiled in controversy once more after reportedly using a derogatory term against the LGBT community during a closed-door meeting at the Vatican. Italian media outlets revealed that the pontiff made the comment while addressing Roman priests at The Salesian Pontifical University, raising eyebrows especially during Pride Month.
In his remarks, the Pope allegedly remarked about an “air of fa****ness in the Vatican” and suggested that young gay men should avoid entering seminaries, as reported by ANSA. While the Vatican’s press office acknowledged the meeting, it emphasized the Pope’s stance on accepting LGBT individuals into the Church while cautioning against their inclusion in seminaries.
The Vatican Press Office issued a brief detailing the hour-and-a-half-long meeting, where the 87-year-old pontiff covered various topics including international conflicts and artificial intelligence. However, the discussion reportedly circled back to the contentious issue of admitting individuals with “homosexual tendencies” to seminaries, reiterating the Church’s opposition to gay men pursuing priesthood.
This isn’t the first time Pope Francis has faced criticism for his language regarding the LGBT community. Just last month, during a private discussion with Italian bishops, he used an Italian word which roughly translates to “faggotry,” reinforcing his stance against allowing gay individuals to enter the priesthood.
While some unnamed bishops present at the meeting downplayed the remark as a joke, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni issued an apology on behalf of the Pope, emphasizing the Church’s inclusivity while expressing regret for any offense caused.
Despite the apology, reactions to the Pope’s statement have been mixed, with many expressing disappointment and others finding humor in the situation. The incident underscores ongoing tensions within the Church regarding its stance on LGBTQ+ issues, sparking debate both within religious circles and on social media platforms.
