Pope Francis Extends Apology for Reported Use of Offensive Term

Pope Francis has issued an apology following reports that he used a derogatory term for homosexuals.

The Vatican clarified that the Pope had no intention of causing hurt or using homophobic language.

His statement reiterated a foundational belief: “In the Church, there is room for everyone! Nobody is useless; nobody is redundant; there is room for everyone.”

This response comes amid widespread media coverage in Italy reporting the Pope's use of the term “frociaggine” during a confidential meeting.

This term, regarded as offensive, was allegedly spoken at a gathering of the Italian Bishops Conference.

The context was a discussion on the presence of gay men in seminaries, where he emphasized the existing rules against their ordination as priests.

“La Repubblica,” Italy's major newspaper, and other media outlets brought this incident to light.

Some speculate that Pope Francis, originally from Argentina, might not have known the term's pejorative connotations.

This incident has stirred disappointment among LGBT+ groups, particularly a London-based Catholic association that found the remarks deeply troubling.

Despite this controversy, Pope Francis is often celebrated for his comparatively progressive stance towards the LGBT community within the Church.

He has previously advocated against discrimination towards homosexuals and supported the blessing of same-sex unions under specific conditions.

In a landmark comment from 2013, he famously stated, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has goodwill, who am I to judge?”

His efforts to address these sensitive issues reflect ongoing tensions within the Church's teachings and the evolving societal norms surrounding sexuality.