Pope apologizes over reported homophobic slur
Pope Francis has issued an apology after reports emerged that he used extremely derogatory language towards gay men.
In a statement, the Vatican clarified that the Pope did not intend to offend anyone and apologized to those who were “hurt by the use of a word.”
During a private session at the Italian Bishops’ Conference, the Pope reportedly said that gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood, adding there was already an air of “frociaggine,” a highly offensive slur.
Though the meeting was private, it has been widely reported.
“Pope Francis is aware of the articles that have come out recently concerning a conversation he had with bishops… behind closed doors,” said Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See – the Catholic Church’s governing body, in the statement.
The Pope’s reported comments were initially shared with the Italian tabloid website Dagospia and subsequently confirmed by other Italian news agencies.
There has been widespread shock at the reported language, particularly since Pope Francis has often spoken publicly about being respectful towards gay people.
Mr. Bruni added: “As the Pope has stated on multiple occasions, ‘In the Church, there is room for everyone, everyone! Nobody is useless or superfluous, there is room for everyone, just the way we are.'”
“The Pope never intended to offend or use homophobic language and apologizes to everyone who felt offended or hurt by the use of a word,” Mr. Bruni concluded in the Vatican statement.
Progressive supporters of the Pope argue that while little has changed in terms of gay rights within Catholicism, he has shifted the tone of the Church’s attitude.
When asked about gay people early in his papacy, he hit the headlines by responding, “Who am I to judge?”
He recently created consternation among Catholic traditionalists by saying priests should be able to bless same-sex couples in some circumstances and has frequently talked of gay people being welcome in the Church.
Spanish-speaking defenders of the Pope point out that he sometimes makes mistakes in Italian colloquialisms, and suggest that he did not appreciate the level of offence he might have caused, even though he did grow up in an Italian-speaking household in Argentina.
But the head of the LGBT Catholic rights group DignityUSA, Marianne Duddy-Burke, called the reported comments “shocking and hurtful”, especially to gay priests who have served “God’s people faithfully and well”.
“Unfortunately, even if intended as a joke, the Pope’s comment reveals the depth of anti-gay bias and institutional discrimination that still exist in our church,” she told Reuters news agency.
