Italian media outlets La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera have reported that Pope Francis used a homophobic slur during a private meeting with Italian bishops. The incident reportedly took place on May 20, during the Italian Bishops Conference’s four-day assembly.
During the meeting, the 87-year-old Pope was asked whether gay men, who commit to celibacy, should be allowed to train for the priesthood. According to the reports, Pope Francis responded negatively, stating that gay men should not be allowed to become priests. He allegedly joked that there were “already too many ‘frociaggine'” in some seminaries—a term that roughly translates to a homophobic slur in English.
Corriere della Sera mentioned that some attendees believed Pope Francis, whose first language is Spanish, may not have fully understood the offensive nature of the word he used. The initial report of the incident appeared on the political gossip website Dagospia.
The Vatican has not issued a comment on the alleged remarks.
Pope Francis, since his papacy began in 2013, has been known for his inclusive approach toward the LGBTQ community. He has previously criticized laws that criminalize homosexuality and has expressed support for priests conducting blessings for same-sex couples under certain conditions.
The Pope’s approach may be seen as a mean to pander to a younger audience disillusioned by the Church’s controversial reputation. Despite all inclusive statements, the official doctrine of the Catholic Church maintains that same-sex acts are “intrinsically disordered.”
