Pope 'not well' as he struggles to read speech at The Vatican

Pope Francis Uses Offensive Slur for Gay Men

Pope Francis Uses Offensive Slur , for Gay Men. Last week, the pope used a derogatory term to refer to gay men in a closed-door meeting with bishops, two sources tell NBC News. They were reportedly debating the issue of allowing gay men to train in seminaries to become priests. That's when Francis used the offensive Italian term to express his opposition to the idea. His comments left many shocked, considering his previous statements depicting a more welcoming nature toward the LGBTQ+ community. . On May 28, the Vatican apologized "to those who were offended.". The church said Francis was "aware of articles that recently came out about a conversation, behind closed doors, with the bishops.". As he has had the opportunity to state on several occasions, 'In the Church there is room for everyone, for everyone! No one is useless, no one is superfluous, there is room for everyone. Just as we are, everyone.', Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, via statement. The pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms, and he extends his apologies to those who were offended by the use of a term, reported by others, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni, via statement. 'Corriere della Sera,' an Italian newspaper, quoted several sources who suggest that the pope may not have understood just how offensive the term is. Since he's a nonnative Italian speaker, the comment was likely "a gaffe on the part of the pope, rather than a slur," according to reporter Gerry O'Connell

New Vatican Document Urges Caution Over Supernatural Events

New Vatican Document , Urges Caution Over , Supernatural Events. Reuters reports that the Vatican has issued new guidelines regarding supernatural events, including weeping Madonnas and crucifixes dripping blood. . The new guidelines replace rules first put in place back in 1978. . According to the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF), supernatural incidents should be assessed cautiously, as they could be fraudulent or exploited for financial gain. According to the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF), supernatural incidents should be assessed cautiously, as they could be fraudulent or exploited for financial gain. The discernment may also deal with problems, such as delicts (wrongdoing), manipulation, damage to the unity of the Church, undue financial gain, and serious doctrinal errors that could cause scandals and undermine the credibility of the Church, Vatican DDF document, via Reuters. Supernatural incidents have often become the basis for Catholic shrines and pilgrimages. . These incidents include "stigmata," which are crucifixion wounds appearing on the hands and feet of Jesus appearing on saintly people or statues. Reuters reports that the DDF document suggests that in such cases bishops should issue a "nihil obstat.". Nihil obstat essentially allows for worship, while leaving the issue open for the Vatican to determine if it is "supernatural" in nature. . The document stresses that the purported supernatural events at the heart of many places of pilgrimage have not been authenticated by the Vatican. An example of this would be the Bosnian shrine of Medjugorje, where multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981. . An example of this would be the Bosnian shrine of Medjugorje, where multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981.