Infallibility versus Bigotry in the Archdiocese of Rome: Vatican Rectification and the Misfortune of Pope Francis

Yes, I know, that term doesn’t have practical, colloquial application — it doesn’t mean that they never bungle math problems or lose track of where they hung their robes. But the general notion or mythology of infallibility reflects a kind of papal authority and aloofness that discourages any real-time revisiting of false steps, any open regret for errant syllables.

Pope Francis issued a statement on Tuesday that apologizes to anyone offended by something he said last week. It’s all the bigger and more surprising because Francis was apologizing for insulting gay people, and for most of my 59 years, Roman Catholic leaders were more concerned with condemning or converting or chiding or hiding us than with making sure our feelings weren’t hurt.

During a meeting with Italian bishop, Francis was said to have said that the training grounds for future priests were too crowded with a crude Italian slur:frociaggine.

I’m disappointed that he used it, contradicting past statements of his that urged respect for gay people and his decision last year to allow priests to bless same-sex couples. I don’t know what he was trying to tell the conservatives about his bigotry or what he was doing to curry favor with them.

A pope in a prior era wouldn’t have done as much damage control. A pope with a prior era might not have felt the damage was done.