Pope Francis has expressed regret following accusations that he employed highly offensive language towards homosexual men.
According to a statement from the Vatican, the Pope did not intend to offend anyone and expressed sorrow to those who were affected by the use of a particular word.
Reports reveal that during a meeting at the Italian Bishops’ Conference, the Pope stated that homosexual men should not be allowed to pursue priesthood training, mentioning that there was already a prevailing atmosphere of frociaggine, a derogatory term.
Despite the private nature of the conversation, it attracted significant media attention.
“Pope Francis is informed about the recent articles regarding his private discussion with bishops,” stated Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See, which is the governing body of the Catholic Church.
The Pope’s Homophobic Slur: What Does ‘Frociaggine’ Mean?
As reported by The Guardian, several Italian news sources have stated that the Pope used the term “frociaggine” — a crude Italian word that can be translated to ‘faggotness’ — while emphasizing his stance against allowing gay men into Catholic seminaries. The Pope commented that while it is crucial to welcome everyone, there is already an excess of “frociaggine” in some seminaries.
Advocates of the Pope’s progressive views argue that although there have been few substantial changes concerning gay rights within Catholicism, there has been a significant alteration in the Church’s perspective under his leadership.
In the early days of his papacy, when asked about gay individuals, he garnered attention for his reply: “Who am I to judge?”
Reactions to Pope’s divisive remarks spark uproar
Recently, the Pope stirred controversy among conservative Catholics by proposing that priests should have the option to bless same-sex couples under specific conditions. Additionally, he often advocates for the inclusion of gay individuals within the Church.
Supporters of the Pope, especially those who speak Spanish, argue that his occasional missteps in Italian phrases stem from his upbringing in an Italian-speaking family in Argentina. They contend that he may not fully understand the potential offense his comments might generate.
However, Marianne Duddy-Burke, leader of the LGBT Catholic rights organization DignityUSA, found the reported remarks “shocking and hurtful,” particularly to gay priests who have loyally served the Church.
“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 was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.
“Pope Francis and His Remarks on LGBTQ+ Individuals”
During his 11-year tenure, Pope Francis has been recognized for his attempts to connect with LGBTQ+ Catholics. Nevertheless, his casual style of communication and outreach has sparked several debates.
Here’s a summary of some of Pope Francis’ statements regarding the LGBTQ+ community:
On July 30, 2013, during his initial press conference, he responded, “Who am I to pass judgment?” when asked about a priest who was reportedly homosexual. This indicated a more inclusive approach towards LGBTQ+ Catholics.
On May 21, 2018, he reassured a gay individual by saying, “God created you this way and he loves you.”
On August 28, 2018, the Vatican removed from the official online transcript of a press conference a comment made by Francis, suggesting that young homosexual children might seek “psychiatric assistance.”
On November 2, 2020, the Vatican clarified the Pope’s endorsement of legal protections for same-sex couples.
On January 24, 2023, he affirmed in an interview, “Being homosexual is not a criminal offense.”
On January 28, 2023, he stated that although homosexual activity is not considered a crime, it is regarded as a sin according to Catholic moral teachings, which state that all sexual acts outside of marriage are sinful.
On August 24, 2023, during World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, he led a gathering of approximately half a million young individuals in chanting “todos, todos, todos” (everyone, everyone, everyone) to emphasize the Church’s message of inclusivity.
On October 21, 2023, he gave his endorsement to a document issued by the doctrine office, which allows for the baptism of transgender individuals and their participation as godparents.
On December 19, 2023, he granted approval for blessings to be bestowed upon same-sex couples, with the condition that these blessings do not imitate marriage. This decision sparked strong opposition from conservative bishops in Africa, Asia, and other regions.
On March 25, 2024, he authorized a doctrinal document that declares gender-affirming surgery to be a serious violation of human dignity. The document equates such surgeries with practices like abortion and euthanasia, which are considered to be acts of rejection towards God.
