Headline Roundup • May 28th, 2024
Pope Apologizes for Using Italian Anti-Gay Slur
Summary from the AllSides News Team
Pope Francis issued an apology after reports emerged suggesting he used a derogatory term for homosexuals during a private meeting with Italian bishops on May 20.
The Details: Pope Francis, known for advocating a more welcoming approach towards the LGBTQ+ community in the Catholic Church, reportedly said, “There is already too much frociaggine” in seminaries, using a word that roughly translates to “f****try.” Francis denied intending to offend or express himself in homophobic terms. His statement came in the midst of discussions regarding potential flexibility in the Vatican's firm ban on gay priests.
For Context: Francis was raised in an Italian-speaking household in Argentina, and some “Spanish-speaking defenders of the Pope” cited by BBC News (Center bias) suggested he was not fully aware of the word’s potential for offense.
Key Quotes: Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said, “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.”
How the Media Covered It: Original coverage appeared to be less common in mainstream right-rated outlets, with Fox News (Right bias) seemingly not covering the story by Tuesday afternoon. Articles often differed on describing the Pope’s language. National Review (Lean Right bias) called it a “gay slur” and partly censored an English translation; BBC News only called it “extremely derogatory language” and “a highly offensive slur.” Some mainstream Lean Left outlets included the English translation uncensored, including TIME Magazine (Lean Left bias), CNN (Lean Left bias), and The Washington Post (Lean Left bias). This summary was developed with the help of AllSides' AI technology.
Featured Coverage of this Story
Vatican Media
The Vatican on Tuesday issued an apology after Pope Francis’ use of an offensive word in Italian regarding seminarians who identify as gay.
Matteo Bruni, the Holy See spokesman, said in Tuesday’s press statement that the Holy Father was “aware of the articles recently published about a conversation, behind closed doors, with the bishops” of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI).
Italian media reported that Pope Francis had met with the CEI on May 20 in the Vatican’s Synodal Hall. At that meeting the pope was asked about the admission of...
Getty Images
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 frociaggine, which translates as a highly offensive slur.
This meeting was in private, but has been widely reported.
“Pope Francis is aware...
Franco Origlia—Getty Images
Pope Francis apologized on Tuesday after he reportedly used a homophobic slur while reiterating his opposition to gay people becoming priests during a private discussion on the matter with bishops last week.
“There is already too much frociaggine” in seminaries, Francis has been quoted as saying, using an Italian word that roughly translates to “faggotry.”
The remark, said to have been made during a closed-door meeting last Monday, was first reported by Italian news and gossip site Dagospia and then affirmed by Italian newspapers la Repubblica and Corriere della Sera, which each cited unnamed firsthand sources.
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