Pope Francis Used Offensive Homosexual Slur During Private Meeting; Leaves Bishops In ‘Incredulous Laughter’: Report
Pope Francis stirred controversy with his recent comments on homosexuality, reportedly using an offensive gay slur to drive home his point.
In a closed-door meeting at an episcopal conference in the Vatican on May 20, the Pontiff spoke about not allowing homosexuals to train for priesthood. In his Italian speech, the Pope allegedly used the term "f****try."
"Look: there is already an air of f*****ry around that is not good," Pope Francis reportedly said, according to Daily Mail, citing the Italian news agency Adnkronos.
"There is today's culture of homosexuality with respect to those who have a homosexual orientation [who] are better off not being accepted [into the seminary]."
Despite its offensive nature, the statement was reportedly met with "incredulous laughter." Some defended the pope's choice of words as a misunderstanding given Italian is not his first language.
Local newspaper Corriere della Sera noted that a similar incident happened recently wherein Argentinian Cardinal Victor Mánuel Fernandez let slip an Italian curse word while explaining the new rules on apparitions. He specifically said, "doing some bulls**t".
Pope Francis' comment about homosexuality seems to also go against his previous statements about being gay. Especially since some find the Pope as having a more liberal view on LGBTQ+ issues.
In 2013, the Pope famously said he wouldn't judge homosexuals who are "seeking the Lord."
"Who am I to judge them if they're seeking the Lord in good faith?" he said.
In the 2016 book "The Name of God is Mercy," the Pope doubled down on his statement by highlighting that all people should be treated with delicacy and dignity, regardless of their sexuality.
"I am glad that we are talking about 'homosexual people' because before all else comes the individual person, in his wholeness and dignity," he explained, as quoted by the National Catholic Reporter.
"And people should not be defined only by their sexual tendencies: let us not forget that God loves all his creatures and we are destined to receive his infinite love."
In December, the Pope also allowed the blessing of same-sex couples.
"For, those seeking a blessing should not be required to have prior moral perfection," a Vatican document released in December 2023 wrote.
"There is no intention to legitimize anything, but rather to open one's life to God, to ask for his help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the Gospel may be lived with greater faithfulness."
Despite the reports, there have been no official record of the Pope using the vulgar term. The Vatican has not responded to the reports either.
