Pope Apologizes for Using Derogatory Term About Gay Men in Private Meeting with Bishops

The Pope has sparked controversy after reportedly using a derogatory term about gay men in a private meeting with bishops, where he reiterated his stance that they should not be allowed to become priests. The Vatican has issued an apology, stating that Pope Francis did not intend to offend or express himself in homophobic terms.

The remark was made during a closed-door meeting with bishops, where the Pope described priesthood colleges as already too full of a highly offensive Italian slur. The incident was first reported by a political gossip website, and some have suggested that the Pope’s linguistic gaffe may have been due to Spanish being his first language.

Despite leading the Roman Catholic Church towards a more welcoming approach towards the LGBT+ community, the Pope has faced criticism for his comments on gay men seeking to become priests. In 2018, he instructed Italian bishops to carefully vet priesthood applicants and reject those suspected of being gay.

This incident has reignited the debate within the Church about the acceptance of gay men in the priesthood, with some pointing to past Vatican documents that have outlined criteria for admitting gay individuals into the priesthood. The controversy surrounding the Pope’s remarks highlights the ongoing tensions within the Catholic Church on issues of sexuality and inclusion.