Pope Francis accused of repeating homophobic slur that prompted Vatican apology

Pope Francis has again been accused of using a highly offensive term to describe gay men in a closed-door meeting, two weeks after the Vatican apologized for his use of the same slur.

Pope Francis has again been accused of using a highly offensive term to describe gay men in a closed-door meeting, two weeks after the Vatican apologized for his use of the same slur.

The Italian news agency ANSA, citing unnamed sources, reported that Francis used the Italian word in a meeting Tuesday afternoon in which he suggested gay men should be welcome in the church but not in seminaries.

He is alleged to have used the term in a nonpublic meeting with Roman priests at the Salesian Pontifical University.

Two sources in the room told NBC News last month that the pope used the phrase in another closed-door meeting with bishops on May 20. The Vatican was moved to issue a rare apology "to those who were offended."

In response to a request for comment on the new allegation, the Vatican referred NBC News to a statement it had issued regarding Tuesday’s meeting with priests. The pope had reiterated the need to welcome "people with homosexual tendencies" into the church and the need for caution "regarding their entry into the seminary," the statement said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-repeated-gay-slur-vatican-apology-rcna156699

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