Pope Francis Apologizes for Homophobic Remark During Meeting with Bishops

Pope Francis recently issued an apology for using an anti-gay slur during a closed-door meeting with bishops. The 87-year-old pontiff reportedly made the offensive comment last week, suggesting that gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood.

In a statement released by the Vatican on Tuesday, they clarified that the Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms. He extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of the term, as reported by others.

Despite this incident, Pope Francis has consistently emphasized an inclusive stance within the Church.

The controversy arose when two Italian newspapers, Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica, reported on the May 20 meeting, citing sources present. According to their reports, the Pope used the term “frociaggine,” which translates to “faggotry” in English, while discussing the presence of gay men in seminaries.

Corriere della Sera pointed out that the Pope, being Argentine and speaking Italian as a second language, may not have fully realized the offensiveness of his language. The remark reportedly elicited incredulous laughter from the bishops present.

It’s important to note that the Vatican had previously ruled in 2005 that men who are actively gay or have “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies cannot be ordained. Pope Francis reaffirmed this ruling in 2016 and advised Italian bishops in 2018 not to accept gay candidates for the priesthood.