Pope Francis appeared in high spirits, as he arrived at Romes Olympic Stadium for World Children's Day. The Pope met children representing more than 100 countries, handing out sweets and encouraging 'a gesture of peace.'
Francis has been seen as more liberal than predecessors on LGBTQ+ matters. But alleged comments last week reported by Italian media caused uproar Pope Francis has apologised over any offence caused after he was widely quoted as having used homophobic language at a meeting last week.
He had used the term in reaffirming the Vatican's ban on allowing gay men to enter seminaries and be ordained priests. 'There is today's culture of homosexuality with respect to those who have a homosexual orientation are better off not being accepted . In 2013, at the start of his papacy, he famously said: 'If a person is gay and seeks God and has good will, who am I to judge?'
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Francis's native language is Spanish, and though he is fluent in Italian he has made a number of linguistic faux pas in the past. Francesco Lepore, a former priest who is now a gay rights activist, said he was 'stunned' by the comments allegedly made by Francis, who is also known by his birth name Jorge Mario Bergoglio.
Reports about the pontiff's remarks at the meeting come after bishops approved a document regulating admission to Italian seminaries, according to Corriere.
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