“Gossip is a woman’s thing”

Some of the Pope’s words have once again caused controversy, just days after he apologized for using the word “faggot”, an expression that caused controversy both inside and outside the Church. An Italian religious media has leaked that during a meeting with young priests in Rome on Wednesday, the Pope said that “gossiping is a woman’s job.”

As published by Italian media on Thursday Silare Non Possum – experts in ecclesiastical issues and who have exposed conclusive episodes of abuse in the Church – Francis met with seventy-two priests from the Diocese of Rome, all of them ordained in the last ten years. During the meeting, aimed at eliminating gossip in Rome’s parishes, the Pope is said to have remarked: “Gossip is a woman’s thing. We wear pants, we have to say things to each other’s faces.”

These alleged words join other recent statements that have generated controversy. Just days earlier, on Monday, during a meeting with 200 Italian bishops, Francis used the word “faggot” to refer to the presence of homosexuals in seminaries, making it clear that homosexuality should not be allowed in these institutions or among young priests. “There are already too many of those inside,” he said, according to Italian media. According to the Vatican press office, he later said that “he never intended to disparage himself or to express hatred towards homosexuality” and apologized.

Both episodes are contrary to the image of openness and modernization that Francis has tried to project in recent years, advocating for greater inclusion of women in the church and seeking to understand LGBTI+ realities. The private comments were condemned by some Italian media, citing unnamed sources such as the newspaper Republic or questioned digital Dagospy– His personal comments suggest a different position.

“While with the Italian bishops the Pope indulged in inappropriate ideas about priests and seminarians, with the young priests of the Diocese of Rome he always chose to throw darts full of sexism at the people who separate them. In addition, it is known that only journalists like Franca Giansoldati can hail this Pope as an innovative, open and promoter of rights,” the media text reads. Silare Non Possum in which he reports on the words of the Pope.

This is not the first time Francisco has been at the center of controversy for his alleged comments. During a synod to tackle abuse in the church, the pope said giving women more roles would not solve the problem, but integrating “feminine ways of thinking” into the institution would be a possible solution.

The Vatican has attempted to downplay the controversy. That same Tuesday they published a statement from the press office in which Francisco apologized to those who may have been hurt by his words. However, this gesture is not enough for many critics who believe that the problem lies in a deeper and more systemic approach. The Association of LGBTI Christians responded, “The Gospel is not marginalized.”