The Pope apologized after saying in a meeting that “there are too many ‘faggots’ in seminaries”

VATICAN CITY, (EFE).- The Pope apologized after saying in a meeting with bishops that “there are too many ‘faggots’ in the seminary,” according to what the Vatican press office published this Tuesday, following the controversy that arose after the pontiff said in a meeting with bishops that “there were already too many ‘faggots’ in the seminary.”

“Pope Francis is aware of the recently published articles about conversations behind closed doors with the bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI) and, as he has said on numerous occasions: “There is room in the Church for everyone, for everyone! No one is useless, no one is superfluous, there is room for everyone. As we are, all of us,” the Vatican note reads.

And he adds: “The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in anti-homosexual terms, and apologizes to those who feel offended by the use of the term by others.”

He used an abusive word in Italian

This Tuesday, articles in the Italian media generated controversy and confusion in which it was stated that the Pope had referred to the fact that “there were already too many faggots (or faggots)” to defend the position of not admitting homosexuals into the seminary, during a closed-door meeting of the CIS Assembly.

Apparently, the use of the derogatory term in Italian – ‘frocciagne’ (faggot) – by the Pope during the meeting with the Italian bishops on May 20th was published a few days ago on the Dagospia website, which publishes alleged informative extracts. This Monday some Italian media such as “Corriere della Sera” and “Repubblica” confirmed the use of the term with some of the bishops present.

Pope reiterates refusal to admit gay people

The issue of whether and to what extent to admit openly homosexual candidates to seminaries was being discussed, and Francis, although he reiterated as always the need to welcome everyone, was very harsh on this matter, refusing to admit them, as he reiterated what the Church has already repeated on several occasions.

According to the newspaper La Repubblica, which cites several anonymous sources who agree with their version, the Pope joked that there were “already too many people” in the seminaries.

“Corriere della Sera” explains that according to the consultation with those present “more than embarrassment, the phrase was received with some incredulous laughter” and “it was clear that the Pope was not aware of how offensive the term is in Italian.”

Church position

With this instruction to the clergy the Pope thus wanted to reiterate the Church’s position, taken in 2005, with Benedict XVI, and confirmed in 2016, with Francis, that “the Church, deeply respecting the people concerned, cannot accept in the seminary and in Holy Orders those who practice homosexuality, have deeply rooted homosexual tendencies or support the so-called gay culture”.

During his papacy, the Pope had to publicly apologize on Tuesday for reprimanding a Chinese woman who suddenly grabbed his arm and pushed him towards her while he was greeting the faithful in St. Peter’s Square in 2020.

“Many times we lose patience, including me. “I apologize for the bad example of yesterday,” Francis said from the window of the Apostolic Palace, moments before the Angelus prayer.