Father James Martin deserves our gratitude for this new text devoted to what he calls “Jesus’s greatest miracle”: the resurrection of Lazarus, Pope Francis writes in a new preface to the Italian-language translation of ‘Come Forth.’

The context of the incident, the Vatican’s response, and the implications for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics.

Pope Francis' use of a homophobic slur has raised questions about the limits of his welcoming and inclusive stance towards L.G.B.T.Q. persons, despite a swift apology from the Vatican.

As a gay priest, I was shocked and saddened by the Holy Father’s use of an offensive slur during a discussion with Italian bishops.

“Brothers and sisters, the Holy Spirit, Who in the beginning transformed chaos into cosmos, is at work to bring about this transformation in every person,” Pope Francis said in his general audience today.

“The pope is not homophobic and never was,” the vice president of the Italian bishops’ conference said.