Pope Francis Apologizes for Using Anti-Gay Slur
Pope Francis apologized after being quoted using a derogatory term about gay men while reaffirming the Catholic Church's ban on gay priests. The incident highlighted the tension between the Church's official stance on homosexuality and the reality of gay men in the priesthood. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that the Pope did not intend to offend and has long advocated for inclusivity. LGBTQ+ advocates criticized the Church's ban on gay priests and called for a more inclusive approach.