On June 11, 2024, Pope Francis was reported to have used a derogatory term for gay people during a private meeting with Roman priests as per Italian media sources. This incident follows a similar occurrence in May 2024, for which he had previously apologized.
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The controversy was made during a closed-door meeting with Roman priests on June 11, 2024. Pope Francis used the term “frociaggine,” an offensive Italian word that can be translated as “faggotness” in English.
He referred to a perceived “air of f*ry” in the Vatican and expressed concerns about young men with homosexual tendencies entering seminaries.
Pope Francis had previously used the same term in May 2024 and apologized for it. In response to the latest incident, the Vatican’s press office reiterated the Pope’s message of inclusivity while addressing the need for caution regarding the ordination of gay individuals.
The Catholic Church has historically held conservative views on homosexuality. The 2005 Vatican ruling prohibits the ordination of men who are openly gay or have “deep-seated” homosexual tendencies.
Although Pope Francis has been seen as more progressive, supporting inclusivity and outreach to the LGBTQ+ community have cast doubt on the depth of his commitment to these values.
The repeated use of derogatory language by the Pope has been perceived as contradictory to his previous messages of inclusivity and acceptance.
Many LGBTQ+ Catholics and their allies are disheartened by these remarks, feeling they undermine the Church’s efforts to be more welcoming.
Some bishops including those present during the May 2024 incident, have defended the Pope, suggesting he might not have fully understood the offensive nature of the term in Italian.
The Vatican has issued statements addresssing the Church’s openness to all individuals while maintaining traditional views on the priesthood and homosexuality.
The Pope’s remarks have been met with criticism from LGBTQ+ activists, progressive Catholics and human rights organizations.
In May, Pope Francis allegedly used the Italian slang term “frociaggine,” roughly translating to “faggotness” or “faggotry,” during a meeting with Italian bishops.
The term is considered highly offensive and derogatory towards gay people. The context of the initial remark involved a discussion on whether openly gay men should be admitted to Roman Catholic seminaries.
The pope reportedly expressed concern over what he described as an “excess of gay men” in these institutions.
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On June 11, 2024, reports emerged that Pope Francis repeated the slur during a private meeting with priests in Rome. This was confirmed by Francesco Langella, the director of communications for the Salesian Pontifical University, where the meeting took place.
Italian news agencies ANSA and Adnkronos, citing sources reported the use of the offensive term.
The Vatican, in its official summary of the gathering mentioned only that the pope warned against admitting gay men into seminaries but did not address the specific language used.
A gay priest, writing in the Jesuit publication America magazine expressed shock and sadness, calling for more than just an apology from the pope.
Alessandro Zan, a prominent Italian politician and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights condemned the pope’s remarks on social media.
The Vatican issued an apology through its press office. The statement conveyed that Pope Francis did not intend to offend or use homophobic language and extended apologies to those hurt by the term.
Pope Francis has been noted for his efforts to adopt a more inclusive approach towards LGBTQ+ individuals. His famous 2013 remark, “Who am I to judge?” in response to a question about a gay priest, was seen as a departure from the traditional stance of the Roman Catholic Church.
The pope has also supported blessing same-sex couples and has spoken against discrimination based on sexual orientation. These moves have garnered praise from progressive elements within and outside the church.
The use of a homophobic slur sends conflicting messages about the pope’s stance on LGBTQ+ inclusion. Some say that such language undermines the efforts towards creating a more inclusive environment within the church.
The inconsistency between the pope’s words and actions raises questions about his true commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusivity and the reform agenda he envisions for the church.
Some bishops and observers suggest that Pope Francis, being Argentine, might not fully grasp the offensive nature of the Italian term he used.
This perspective suggests a cultural and linguistic misunderstanding rather than intentional malice. The pope’s informal speaking style, which often includes jokes and slang, might contribute to such misunderstandings.
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