Pope Francis has issued an apology for using a derogatory term referring to gay men during a closed-door discussion with Italian bishops about the admission of gay men to Catholic seminaries. Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni clarified that the Pope did not intend to offend or express homophobic sentiments, apologizing to those who felt hurt.
Italian media reported that Francis opposed admitting gay men to seminaries, using the highly offensive slang term “frociaggine.” This incident has added to the mixed messages received by LGBTQ Catholics from the Vatican.
While the Church officially views homosexuality as intrinsically disordered and same-sex sexual activity as a grave sin, Pope Francis has shown some leniency by allowing priests to bless individuals in same-sex relationships, though not the relationships themselves.
The LGBTQ Catholic group Dignity USA expressed disappointment with the Pope’s language. Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke acknowledged the apology but emphasized the deeper issue of disconnect between the Church’s leadership and its followers. This divide, she argues, contributes to the exodus of many from the Church.
Polling supports Duddy-Burke’s view, showing a majority of Catholics favor same-sex marriages and identifying negative teachings about LGBTQ people as a significant reason for leaving the Church.
