Pope Francis used a derogatory term during a closed meeting with bishops in which they were discussing the issue of admitting openly gay people to Catholic seminaries. During this meeting, which was part of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CIE), the Pope spoke against this initiative, using the Italian word “frociaggine”, which is a vulgar term used to describe homosexual relations.
Some bishops assert that Pope Francis perhaps used this word in a joking manner and was unaware of its offensive nature. At the same time, a Vatican spokesperson has declined to comment on this incident.
This incident has caused considerable resonation, particularly due to the issue of admitting openly gay people into seminaries being a delicate and controversial topic within the Catholic Church. Discussions surrounding this issue have been ongoing for some time, and they reflect broader debates on the church’s attitude towards the LGBT+ community.
It’s also noteworthy that recently, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, clarified Pope Francis’ statement regarding Ukraine’s call for negotiations with Russia. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 11 expressed complaints to the Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine, Visvaldas Kulbokas, over the Pope’s new controversial statements.
These events underscore the complexity and controversy of the Vatican’s policies in both church and international affairs, which often provoke boisterous reactions and discussions among believers and the global community.
