Pope Francis repeated a derogatory
Italian term for homosexuality, "frociaggine", during a
closed-doors meeting with Roman priests on Tuesday, ANSA sources
have said.
His use of the word, stemming from the term 'frocio', which
translates into English as 'faggot', last month during a meeting
with over 200 Italian bishops referring to people with gay
tendencies at Catholic seminaries caused controversy and
prompted the Vatican to issue an apology.
The statement said that 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".
On Tuesday the pope said that "there is an air of 'frociaggine'
in the Vatican" too, sources present at the meeting said.
He also reiterated that he thinks that, while young men with gay
tendencies are "good lads", it is better for them not to be
admitted to seminaries.
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.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
