The Vatican said Tuesday that Pope
Francis apologizes and did not want to offend anyone after using
a derogatory term for homosexuality, "frociaggine", during a
meeting with over 200 Italian bishops on Monday.
The word stems from the term 'frocio', which translates into
English as 'faggot'. The Argentine pontiff used it in reference
to gay activity at seminaries, saying there was an excess of
"frociaggine" in them.
"Pope Francis is aware of the articles recently published about
a conversation, behind closed doors, with the bishops of the
(Italian Episcopal Conference) CEI," the Vatican Press Office
said.
"As he has stated on several occasions 'there is room for
everyone in the Church, for everyone! Nobody is useless, nobody
is superfluous, there is room for everyone. Just as we are, all
of us.
"The Pope never intended to offend or express himself in
homophobic terms, and he apologizes to those who felt offended
by the use of a term reported by others".
The pope has softened the Church's line on gays, once famously
saying "Who am I to judge?" in relation to them, while
maintaining the Catholic dogma that active homosexuality is a
sin, while celibacy by gays is admitted.
The Vatican's recently decided to authorise the blessing of gay
couples, while stressing that this means that the Catholic
Church is blessing the individual persons and not the union.
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