Pope Francis is reported to have repeated a homophobic slur during a meeting with Roman priests on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. According to prominent Italian news agencies ANSA and Adnkronos, the 87-year-old pontiff used the term during a gathering at Rome’s Salesian Pontifical University. The Vatican confirmed the meeting through a statement but did not address the specific language, instead noting the pope discussed "the danger of ideologies in the Church."
This incident mirrors a similar situation from two weeks earlier when Pope Francis allegedly used the same derogatory term in a meeting with Italian bishops on May 20. The Vatican issued an apology following those reports, stating that the Pope never intended to offend or use homophobic language, expressing regret to anyone who felt hurt.
Despite the controversy, the Vatican’s statement reiterated the church's stance on welcoming homosexual individuals into the Church while exercising caution regarding their entry into the priesthood. Pope Francis has been known for his more inclusive approach to the LGBTQ+ community, approving short blessings for same-sex couples and supporting same-sex civil unions. However, he has also reiterated support for a 2005 Vatican ruling that homosexual candidates should not become priests due to concerns about their ability to remain chaste.