The derogatory language that Pope Francis allegedly used in a conversation with priests caused an uproar in Italy. According to Italian media, the 87-year-old pontiff, speaking at a closed-door meeting of bishops in Rome last week, said there was already a sufficient presence of homosexuals in seminaries and used the offensive term “frociaggine”. Soon after, Pope Francis apologized.
The pontiff “never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms and apologizes to those who felt offended by the use of a term mentioned by others,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
The initial debate centered on whether gays should be admitted to the priesthood, with Pope Francis voicing his dissent, arguing that while it is important for the Church to open its arms to all, it is possible for a gay person to lead a double life.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday that Vladimir Putin would be happy if US President Joe Biden did not attend the international peace summit being held in Switzerland next month. Kiev is hoping for the participation of as many countries as possible in an effort to unite views on how to stop the war and step up pressure on Russia, which has seized nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory. Washington supports holding the summit, but it is not known if Biden will attend.
“I know that the US supports the summit, but we don’t know at what level,” Zelensky said yesterday in Brussels at a joint press conference with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. “The peace summit needs President Biden. Putin will only applaud his absence, he will personally applaud it.”
The new parliament of North Macedonia was established yesterday, resulting from the May 8th parliamentary elections. Albanian-born Afrim Gashi, leader of one of the four parties that make up the Albanian opposition coalition, named “Axizia”, was elected as the new speaker of the Parliament. The election of Gassi, who was the only candidate for the office of Speaker of the House, was approved with 76 votes “in favor” – MPs from the VMRO-DPMNE party, the “Deserves” coalition and the newly formed “Know” party voted for him.
The three political formations are negotiating to form the new coalition government in North Macedonia, led by VMRO-DPMNE leader Christian Mickoski, who has ruled out any cooperation with the largest Albanian party, DUI, which in recent years has been involved in allied governments.
The governing coalition is expected to be formed in mid-June as in the coming days the president of North Macedonia, Gordana Silianovska, will give Mickoski the mandate to form a government.
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2024-06-07 00:16:04