Anti gay comments

Pope Francis has apologised following reports that he used extremely derogatory language towards gay men. A statement from the Vatican said the Pope did not mean to offend anyone and apologised to those who were "hurt by the use of a word". At the Italian Bishops' Conference, the pope reportedly said gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood, adding there was already an air of frociagginewhich translates as a highly offensive slur.

There has been shock at the reported language, particularly as Pope Francis has often talked publicly of being respectful towards gay people. Nobody is useless or superfluous, there is room for everyone, just the way we are.

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He recently created consternation among Catholic traditionalists by saying priests should be able to bless same-sex couples in some circumstances and has frequently talked of gay people being welcome in the Church. Spanish-speaking defenders of the Pope point out that he sometimes makes mistakes in Italian colloquialisms, and suggest that he did not appreciate the level of offence he might have caused, even though he did grow up in an Italian-speaking household in Argentina.

Skip to content. Pope apologises over reported homophobic slur. Share Save. Getty Images. This meeting was in private, but has been widely reported. Pope allegedly used derogatory term for gay people. Pope says priests can bless same-sex couples. Pope Francis. Roman Catholic Church.