Pope Francis does it again! Pontiff uses homophobic slur weeks after issuing apology

Pope Francis again made the same mistake of using a vulgar and disparaging word against homosexuals, an act for which the Vatican had apologised last month, said ANSA news agency on Tuesday (June 11).

According to the Italian media, the pope had used a vulgar Italian term which translated as “f*****ry,”onMay 20when a closed-door meetingwas being held with Italian bishops.

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As reported by ANSA, the term was repeated by Pope Francis on Tuesday (June 11) when he met Roman priests and said, “There is an air of f*****ry in the Vatican". He added that it would be better if young men with a homosexual tendency were not permitted to enter the seminary.

The Vatican’s press office, when speaking about the latest report, referred to the statement it had issued at the meeting held with the priests on Tuesday (June 11) and reiterated the need to welcome homosexuals in the Church and emphasised the need for caution when making them seminarians.

The Vatican Press Office shared a news bulletinwhich summarised the hour-and-a-half meeting held with nearly 160 priests.

Also Read:Vatican issues rare apology after Pope uses vulgar slur for gay men

According to the report of ANSA and the bulletin, the 87-year-oldpontiff spoke on various topics, which included artificial intelligence and wars in Ukraine and Gaza.

At the end of the discussion, he returned to the topic of allowing entry to men with “homosexual tendencies” into seminaries and said that everyoneshould be welcomed into the Church while reiterating the official opposition of the Church togay men entering the priesthood.

Use of homophobic slur by Francisa misunderstanding?

The use of a homophobic slur by Francis, which as per local Italian media outlets was a misunderstandingon the basis that his native language is Spanish, portrays his “complicated” legacy on LGBTQ issues.

According to some, this was an honest mistake made by Pope Francis, whose second language is Italian. They argued that the Pope was not aware of how offensive the word was.

Watch: Pope Francis apologises after homophobic slur

Pope Francis' alleged remarks, which have gone against recent moves for amending seminary admission rules, have come as a surprise for some since Francis is known to have a more liberal view on LGBT rights in comparison to his predecessors.

The pontiff had last year called the laws which criminalised homosexuality a 'sin' and an 'injustice', andpermitted Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples, which was a step ahead for LGBT rights in the church.

However, a similar message on gay seminarians was delivered by the Pope, which did not include the reported swear word, during his meeting with Italian bishops in 2018 in which he asked them to carefully vet priesthood applicants and not include anyonewho is suspected of being homosexual.

(With inputs from agencies)