Pope Francis was the involuntary star of the Pride 2024 in Rome

Article by Christopher White (correspondent from the Vatican) published on the Catholic website National Catholic Reporter (United States) on June 16, 2024, freely translated by Innocenzo Pontillo

Pope Francis was involuntarily the star of the Pride 2024 in Rome where, more than a million people, on June 15, 2024 they went down to the streets of the Eternal City, together with dozens of participants who led signs that tried both to protest and to make reflect on a word that the Pope used, twice, in the last month and that has caused a great reaction in the LGBTQ community.

"There is too much Frociagegus in this Pride," we read on a sign. The sign was brought by a man dressed in a white tunic, like that of the Pope, except that he was wrapped in a raimbow flag and wore a rainbow crucifix.
When the demonstrator dressed as Pope Arcobaleno arrived in Piazza della Repubblica in Rome, where he was about to start the Pride parade, the other participants rapidly ran to him to pose for a photo.

"I can't believe that (the Pope) said that word," said one of them. "I think he knows what it means," another replied, "it is not true that he didn't know."
And even with a certain respect, this was the debate that reverberated from the Vatican theaters throughout the rest of the world, since it was reported that the Pope had used the Italian insult "FRISOGAGE" (from "Fagio" or "Fags") in a meeting behind closed doors with the Italian bishops, on May 20, during a disciparance on the admission of gays in the seminar.

The reaction to that word was quick, but the Vatican response was also, less than 24 hours later. The Vatican press office, usually not so fast, hastened to clarify that "the Pope has never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms" and offered his apologies.
The Vatican Declaration said that the Pope believes that there is "space for everyone" in the Catholic Church and, a few days later, the Italian media reported that Francesco had responded to an openly gay man who wished to enter the seminary telling him to "go on".

But just as the storm began to calm down, news emerged according to which the Pope would have used that term a second time, in another meeting behind closed doors with the priests, warning them by different ideologies in the church, and in particular, by the fact that within the Vatican "there is an air of friazing".

On the streets of the Pride of Rome, the demonstrators had fun stressing the hypocrisy of an organization that forbids gay relationships ironically, but where even the Pope seems to recognize that in the priesthood there are many gay men.

"You are really right, there is really fagot everywhere, especially in the bathrooms and between the Vatican sheets", we read in a sign. "Today Rome is a river of fagots, not only in the seminars," we read on another of the many friar -themed signs.

A few days before the Pride of Rome, the US Jesuit Father James Martin, founder of the Catholic Ministry LGBTQ "Outreach", met Pope Francis and posted on social media that "the Holy Father said he knew many seminarians and good priests, saints and celibates with homosexual tendencies". "Once again, confirmed my ministry with LGBTQ people and showed its opening and love for the LGBTQ community," wrote Father Martin on June 12th.

If that feeling were reciprocated (to Pride) depended on the demonstrators who participated in the parade on the 30th anniversary of the Pride of Rome - in a city where there has always been a relationship stretched between the Church and the LGBTQ community, in an event in which religion is often in the sights.

"Pope Francis is homophobic," said a participant who refused to give his name. Another viewer instead kept a sign with a smiling Pope Francis who simply said "bless this fagot".

But while the procession made its way around the papal basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore - a church that Francesco visited more than 100 times since he became Pope and where he recently announced that he intends to be buried - two participants in the procession held a large silhouette of Francesco with a rainbow, a buoy and a cartel with the written "in our parish you are welcome".

"I think (the Pope) was caught in a bad moment," said Daniele Lacignola. "And I think he should worry more about what he says." Then he nodded to the moving crowd and smiling said: "That's why I invite him to our church".

Original text: Pope Francis: The Unintental Star of Rome's 2024 LGBTQ PRIDE PARADE