In a recent private meeting with Latin American religious leaders, Pope Francis said he is aware of gay lobby and corrutption occurring at the Vatican. The report comes from the Latin America and Caribbean Religious [CLAR].
The group met with the Pope on Sunday and according to the Chilean website Reflection and Liberation the Pontiff made those remarks in Spanish during the meeting. CLAR is regretting that the report was published, but acknowledged that a summary had been written.
According to the transcripts, the Pope is concerned about the Curia , the Catholic church central administration, which was plagued by scandal last year. The CLAR summary about Pope Francis’ comments read in part:
“In the Curia, there are also holy people, really, there are holy people. But there also is a stream of corruption, there is that as well, it is true… The ‘gay lobby’ is mentioned, and it is true, it is there… We need to see what we can do.”
CLAR put out a statement regretting the publication of the remarks:
“Deeply regretted the publication of a text which refers to the conversation with the Holy Father.”
Meanwhile the Vatican is declining to comment on Pope Francis’ remarks. In a statement, Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lomardi said:
“It was a private meeting, therefore I have no comment to make on the contents of the conversation.”
Earlier in the year, immediately after Pope Benedict announced his resignation, reports surfaced in the Italian press about worrisome ‘gay lobbying’, which could lead to blackmail.
Before resigning on February 28, the Pope Emeritus, Benedict, left a secret document for his successor detailing the leaks scandal that rocked the Catholic Church last year. The reports were dubbed Vati-leaks because they were leaked to the media.
Allegedly, there is widespread infighting and corruption within the different factions of the Curia, which include many Italians. Some believe this is the reason Pope Francis , a non-Italian was elected.
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