During a recent meeting with priests in Rome, Pope Francis reportedly used an anti-gay slur, sparking controversy once again. The Vatican acknowledged that the pontiff had raised concerns about admitting gay men into Catholic seminaries.
While the Vatican did not directly address the reports of the offensive language used by the Pope, Italian news agencies ANSA and Adnkronos claimed that he had repeated the derogatory term “frociaggine” in reference to gay men.
The authenticity of these reports could not be independently verified by The New York Times. A Vatican spokesperson declined to comment on the matter.
This is not the first time Pope Francis has been accused of using such language. Last month, similar reports emerged from a private meeting with Italian bishops.
Despite his efforts to be inclusive, these incidents have caused backlash within the LGBTQ community, both inside and outside the church.
The Vatican’s summary of the meeting highlighted the Pope’s discussion on the dangers of ideologies in the church and the need for prudence in admitting individuals with “homosexual tendencies” into seminaries.
While Francis has been praised for his attempts to welcome the LGBTQ community, these recent reports have reignited tensions and raised concerns among members of the community.
In response to the previous reports, a gay priest expressed shock and disappointment, emphasizing the need for more than just an apology from the Pope.
Italian politician Alessandro Zan, a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, condemned the use of homophobic language, stating that the issue lies with homophobia, not with the LGBTQ community.
2024-06-11 19:30:06
Original from www.nytimes.com