Pope Francis argued against allowing supposedly celibate homosexuals to train as priests at a bishops’ meeting in Rome, Italy, last week, warning there is already too much frociaggine, which roughly translates as “faggotry” or “buggery,” in the Church.
“Look, there is already an air of faggotry going around that isn’t good,” he said at the closed-door meeting. “There is a culture today of homosexuality, because of which those with a homosexual orientation are better off not being welcomed [into seminaries,” he added.
He suggested allowing open homosexuals to train as clergy could result in priests leading double lives, explaining it is “very difficult for a boy who has this tendency not to fall [into sin] because they come [to the seminary] thinking that the life of the priest can support them, but then they fall during the work of the ministry.”
The Holy See initially declined to comment after the remarks leaked to the Italian press, but the Vatican has now confirmed their authenticity and issued an apology.
Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni says the pontiff “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of a term, as reported by others.”
Bruni reiterated the Pope’s previous comments, saying, “There is room for everyone in the Church, for everyone! No one is useless; no one is superfluous; there is room for everyone. Just as we are, everyone.”
Sources suggest he was “joking” and did not realize the Italian term was particularly offensive. His first language is Spanish.
Pope Francis recently drew criticism from conservatives in the Church for allowing gay couples to be blessed.
