The Pope has again used a homophobic term after apologizing last month for saying gay men should not be admitted to church seminaries because “there is already too much shit” in closed-door meetings.
He used the word ‘frociaggine,’ a vulgar Italian term that roughly translates to ‘f*****ness,’ on May 20 during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops.
According to the Italian news agency ANSA, Pope Francis, 87, repeated the term on Tuesday when he met with Roman priests, saying that “there is an air of shit in the Vatican.”
He added that it was better that young men with homosexual tendencies not be allowed to enter the seminary, a university that prepares students to become priests.
Asked about the latest report, the Vatican press office referred to a statement it had issued regarding Tuesday’s meeting with priests, in which the Pope reiterated the need to welcome homosexuals into the Church and the need to be cautious about becoming seminarians.
Pope Francis used the word ‘frociaggine,’ a vulgar Italian term that roughly translates to ‘f****ness,’ on May 20 during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops.
Pope Francis attends a mass in St. Peter’s Square to mark the first World Children’s Day on May 26
After the first report on the use of the word, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera quoted anonymous bishops who were in the room suggesting that the Pope, as an Argentinian, might not have realized that the Italian term he used was offensive.
The Pope is credited with taking substantial steps to be more welcoming to the LGBT+ community during his 11 years of papacy.
Some Vatican watchers say his recent mistakes undermine his authority and raise questions about his convictions and the path of reform he has in mind for the Church.
In May, the Italian news agency Adnkronos, citing sources, reported that the Pope said in his speech: “Look, there is already an air of shit that is not good.” There is the current culture of homosexuality regarding those who have a homosexual orientation (who) would be better off if they were not accepted (in the seminary).’
The comment was met with “incredulous laughter”, the bishops told Corriere della Sera newspaper, but represents a major step back for activists after long efforts to reform the church’s position on LGBTQ+ rights.
The Pope apologized the following week, and the Vatican issued a statement saying: “The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and apologizes to those who were offended by his use of a term reported by others.” “.