Topline
Pope Francis issued an apology Tuesday after Italian media claimed he used an anti-gay slur during a closed-door meeting with bishops about the church allowing gay men to become priests.
Italian media claimed the Pope used the slur while speaking with bishops about the church’s ban on ... [+]
Key Facts
The Pope, 87, “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms,” the Vatican said in a statement, adding he “extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of a term, as reported by others.”
Two Italian outlets, Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica, claimed the Pope used the term “frociaggine”—which translates in English to “faggotness,” according to the Associated Press—while meeting with bishops on May 20.
Francis is “aware” of reports claiming he used the word, according to the Vatican, which reiterated a previous statement from the Pope indicating “there is room for everyone” in the Catholic Church.
The word was allegedly used as Francis considered proposals from bishops about amending the church’s guidelines for candidates to seminaries, the outlets reported.
In 2016, Francis upheld a ban on men who “practice homosexuality” or present “deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture” from becoming priests.
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Surprising Fact
Francis speaks Italian as a second language, and Corriere della Serra suggested he may not have been aware of how offensive the term was. The term could also be used to describe a “gay climate” in the seminaries, a source close to the Pope told CNN.
Key Background
Pope Francis has criticized anti-LGTBQ+ laws and practices in the Catholic Church since being appointed in 2013—while keeping the church’s ban on same-sex marriage. Shortly after becoming Pope, Francis said: “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?” In December, Francis formally approved same-sex blessings, a month after the Vatican declared transgender Catholics can be baptized, and he’s offered some support for same-sex civil unions. Though being known for his softer tone on LGBTQ+ issues than his predecessors, he has drawn criticism for statements about “gender ideology.” Two years after upholding a ban on gay priests, Francis reportedly told bishops to “keep your eyes open” about gay men in seminaries, and “if in doubt, better not let them enter.” He has also maintained the Catholic Church’s stance that acting on homosexual urges is a sin.
