Pope Francis is facing backlash after reportedly using a derogatory term for gay people during a private meeting with the Italian Bishops’ Conference, an incident that could significantly alter perceptions of his stance on LGBTQ+ issues within the Catholic Church.
According to multiple sources, when asked whether gay men should be allowed to train for the priesthood as long as they remain celibate, the Pope responded negatively. He is then said to have used the Italian word frociaggine, a highly offensive slur, to describe what he perceives as a growing presence of “gayness” within the Church.
The conversation, which took place behind closed doors, was first revealed by the Italian tabloid website Dagospia, and later corroborated by other news outlets citing anonymous sources. The Pope’s reported language has caused shock, especially given his previous public statements advocating for a more inclusive tone toward LGBTQ+ people.
While Pope Francis has often been seen as a more progressive figure in the Church, particularly in his public statements such as “Who am I to judge?” when asked about gay people early in his papacy, this latest incident contradicts his usual rhetoric of respect and acceptance. His supporters had hoped that this new tone would eventually lead to significant changes in the Church’s approach to LGBTQ+ issues, including potentially allowing gay men to train for the priesthood.
However, at the Bishops’ Conference, Pope Francis firmly rejected the idea of admitting gay men to the priesthood, stating that the Church already had too many gay individuals in its ranks. According to some reports, he also insisted that gay seminarians—regardless of whether they acted on their sexual feelings—should be removed from the priesthood.
Some defenders of the Pope, particularly those familiar with his background as a Spanish speaker raised in an Italian-speaking household in Argentina, suggest that he may have misused Italian idioms or failed to grasp the full gravity of the language he employed. Nevertheless, the comments have sparked outrage, especially as they seem at odds with his more progressive statements in favor of inclusivity and pastoral care for LGBTQ+ people.
The Vatican has yet to release an official statement on the matter, leaving many to speculate on the implications of this private meeting for the Pope’s broader views on LGBTQ+ inclusion.
