The Pope issues an apology for a disparaging remark about homosexuals.
Pope Francis has issued an apology for a remark deemed derogatory towards homosexuals. A statement from the Vatican explained that the Pope did not mean to create any offense or express homophobia. The head of the Catholic Church expressed regret to those who felt insulted by his words.
Italian media reports claim the Pope made derisive comments about gay individuals during a conference of Italian Bishops. Allegedly, he advised the church not to allow openly gay men to join the seminaries, as there was already an abundant amount of "gay sex" present.
According to news outlets "Corriere della Sera" and "La Repubblica," the Pope resorted to using a vulgar Italian word to communicate his viewpoint. Nevertheless, the bishops present at the meeting defended the Pope's actions, stating that he was unaware of the word's offensive nature in Italian.
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In response to the backlash, Pope Francis stressed the need for a renewal of the Church's attitude towards homosexuals, emphasizing inclusion and respect. His apology also highlighted the need for all individuals, including religious leaders, to be mindful of their choice of words to avoid expressing homophobic sentiments.
Source: www.ntv.de
