In a recent closed-door meeting with Italian bishops, Pope Francis faced a bold appeal from a student urging him to cease using derogatory language towards the LGBTQ community. This incident has reignited the discourse surrounding the Vatican’s stance on LGBTQ issues, especially given the Pope’s previous comments and actions that have oscillated between inclusion and traditional conservatism.
During the assembly, Pope Francis reportedly used a highly offensive term to describe gay individuals while discussing the eligibility of gay men for priesthood. The term, which translates to “faggotness,” was met with backlash as it starkly contrasts the Pope’s earlier, more inclusive remarks. In 2013, Francis famously stated, “If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?” This latest comment has, therefore, sparked confusion and concern within the LGBTQ community and beyond.
This meeting was part of a larger four-day assembly of the Italian Bishops Conference, and the Pope’s language, as reported by multiple Italian newspapers, has drawn criticism for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and exclusion. The Vatican has not issued an official response to these reports.
Pope Francis has previously shown a willingness to engage with and support the LGBTQ community, evidenced by his allowance of priests to bless same-sex couples, despite significant backlash from conservative factions within the Church. However, his repeated use of derogatory language and insistence on excluding gay men from the priesthood reflect ongoing tensions within the Church’s approach to LGBTQ issues.
The Pope’s stance on homosexuality has been somewhat consistent since a 2005 Vatican document under his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, which stated that men with “deep-seated homosexual tendencies” should not be admitted to the priesthood unless they have overcome such tendencies for at least three years.
The student’s plea highlights a critical moment for the Vatican. It underscores the need for a clear and compassionate dialogue about the LGBTQ community’s place within the Church, and whether the institution can reconcile its doctrinal teachings with a more inclusive and respectful approach towards sexual orientation and identity.