Pope Francis allegedly used vulgar Italian word towards LGBT community: Reports
Pope was quoted as saying that seminaries, or priesthood colleges, are already too full of "frociaggine," a vulgar Italian term roughly translating as "faggotness"
The surprising comments are particularly noteworthy because Pope Francis has been considered one of the leading voices advocating for a more welcoming approach towards the LGBT community.
Pope Francis recently made headlines for using a highly derogatory term during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops. In this meeting, he reiterated his stance that gay people should not be allowed to become priests.
According to reports in Italian media, the Pope was quoted as saying that seminaries, or priesthood colleges, are already too full of “frociaggine,” a vulgar Italian term roughly translating as “faggotness”. La Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, two of Italy’s largest newspapers, both carried this story. While La Repubblica attributed its report to unspecified sources, Corriere della Sera indicated that a few unnamed bishops backed up the claim, suggesting that the Pope might not have realized that the Italian remark he used was offensive.
The alleged incident occurred during a non-public meeting with the pontiff on May 20, when the Italian Bishops Conference opened a four-day assembly. Despite Pope Francis’s reputation for promoting a more inclusive approach, he had previously delivered a similar message in 2018. During that time, he advised bishops to carefully vet priesthood applicants and reject those suspected of being homosexuals.
Pope Francis’ Evolving View on LGBT Issues
In 2013, at the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis famously said, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?” His statement was seen as a more compassionate stance towards the LGBT community. Last year, he allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, triggering conservative backlash but also being hailed by some as a step towards breaking down discrimination within the Catholic Church.
However, the Pope has maintained a strict ban on gay marriage. A new Vatican document reaffirms this position, emphasizing that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman. The Church considers homosexual acts to be “intrinsically disordered” and has consistently opposed same-sex marriage.
The move by Pope Francis has not been without controversy. Traditionalists expressed their displeasure, with some labeling the document as a form of heresy. Blogger Luigi Casalini criticized it in the Latino (Latin Mass) blog Messa, while theologian Ulrich Lehner from the University of Notre Dame raised concerns about potential confusion and division within the Church.
Despite these challenges, Pope Francis has set himself apart from his predecessors by consistently conveying a message of welcome and compassion towards the LGBT community. Defending the landmark decision to approve blessings for same-sex couples, he urged those who disagreed to engage in “fraternal discussions” rather than jumping to “ugly conclusions” based on personal biases. His approach reflects a delicate balance between tradition and progress, navigating the complexities of faith and social change within the Catholic Church.
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