Pope Apologizes for 'Homophobic Slur,' Faces Misogyny Controversy Days Later

"In a Private Meeting, 'Gossiping is for Women'
Two Days After Apologizing for Homophobic Remarks"

Pope Francis, who was criticized and apologized for using homophobic expressions, has now become embroiled in controversy over misogynistic remarks.

On the 31st of last month (local time), the Vatican specialized media outlet Il Seler Non Possum reported that the Pope held a private meeting with young priests in Rome, Italy the day before.

At this meeting, the Pope advised the priests not to gossip about others, adding, "Gossip is for women." He continued, "We wear pants, and we must speak."

Following Il Seler Non Possum's report, Italy's ANSA news agency and major daily newspapers also published related coverage one after another. The Italian daily Il Fatto Quotidiano introduced the remarks by saying, "This is not the first time the Pope has made comments implying that men who wear pants should be different from women."

Pope Francis [Photo by Yonhap News]

Since his enthronement in 2013, the Pope has shown efforts to improve the status of women within the Catholic Church. At the World Synod of Bishops held last October, women were granted voting rights for the first time in history. In July 2022, three women were included as members of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, which oversees the selection of bishops worldwide, and in 2021, the Church constitution was announced stating that Catholic laypeople, regardless of gender, can become heads (ministers) of Vatican administrative organizations.

Earlier, on the 20th of last month, Pope Francis caused controversy by using the Italian derogatory term for homosexual men, ‘frociaggine,’ during an annual meeting with Italian cardinals, saying that there were too many homosexuals in theological seminaries.

In response to the controversy, the Pope issued an official apology on the 28th of last month. In the statement, he said, "There was absolutely no intention to offend or express myself with homophobic language," and "I apologize to those who felt offended."

In January 2022, the Pope also sparked controversy during a general audience by saying, "It is selfish behavior for young couples to not have children and instead raise dogs as pets." In 2014, he described people raising pets as "a facet of cultural decline." This led to online criticism, saying, "The Pope does not understand modern life."