Catholic Church
Vatican issues apology over Pope Francis’s ‘homophobic’ slur
Statement says pontiff apologises ‘to those who felt offended by the term reported by others’
VATICAN CITY, May 28, 2024 — Pope Francis issued a public apology on Tuesday following reports that he used a highly derogatory term to describe gay men during a private meeting with Italian bishops. The incident, which took place on May 20, has sparked widespread outrage and concern within the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
The controversy began when Italian media outlets, including the political gossip website Dagospia, reported that the Pope used the term "frociaggine," which roughly translates to "faggotry" in English. The term was allegedly used during a discussion about the admission of openly gay men into Catholic seminaries. The Pope reportedly expressed his opposition to admitting gay men into the priesthood, even if they committed to celibacy.
In response to the media uproar, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni released a statement clarifying the Pope's intentions. "The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of a term reported by others," Bruni said. He emphasized that Pope Francis remains committed to a welcoming Church for all, where "nobody is useless, nobody is superfluous, and there is room for everyone."
The incident has been particularly shocking given Pope Francis's previous efforts to reach out to the LGBTQ+ community. Since the beginning of his papacy in 2013, Francis has been credited with making substantial overtures towards inclusivity. His famous remark, "If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?" marked a significant shift in the Church's stance towards LGBTQ+ individuals. More recently, he allowed priests to bless members of same-sex couples, a move that triggered a substantial conservative backlash.
Despite these progressive steps, the Pope's reported use of a homophobic slur has caused consternation among his supporters and critics alike. Vito Mancuso, an Italian theologian and former priest, described the language as "despicable and surprising because it blatantly jars with his previous messages on LGBTQ+ issues."
The Vatican's apology aims to quell the uproar and reassure those who felt hurt or offended by the reported comments. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community within religious institutions and society at large. The conversation around inclusion and acceptance continues, with the hope that future dialogue will be more inclusive and respectful.
The Pope's apology also highlights the complexities of language and cultural differences. Some unnamed bishops suggested that as an Argentine, Pope Francis might not have realized the offensive nature of the Italian term he used. This is not the first time the Pope's off-the-cuff remarks have caused controversy. In 2018, he admitted to making "grave mistakes" in handling a sexual abuse crisis in Chile, where he initially dismissed accusations against a bishop suspected of protecting a predator priest.
The Vatican's statement reiterated the Pope's commitment to a Church that welcomes everyone. "As he has had the opportunity to state on several occasions, 'In the Church there is room for everyone, for everyone! No one is useless, no one is superfluous, there is room for everyone. Just as we are, everyone,'" Bruni said.
The incident has also reignited the debate on the Catholic Church's stance towards homosexuality. The Church's official position, reaffirmed in documents from 2005 and 2016, prohibits the ordination of men with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" or those who support the "gay culture." Despite this, there have been discussions within the Italian bishops' conference about providing some flexibility in this absolute ban.
As the story continues to develop, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact Pope Francis's legacy and the Catholic Church's relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. For now, the Pope's apology stands as a significant moment in his papacy, reflecting both the progress made and the challenges that remain in fostering a truly inclusive Church.