Pope Emeritus Benedict has alleged there was a so-called ‘gay lobby’ operating in the Vatican while he was Pope, but added that no one pressurised him to resign.
Benedicts' comments were reported today in Italy's daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera, which has acquired the Italian newspaper rights for excerpts to a book of interviews between the retired pope and the journalist and author Peter Seewald.
During one of the interviews, the Pope Emeritus said he was aware of a group of between four or five gay people who tried to influence decisions during his papacy. The articles says he was able to break up the group.
In the days following Benedict's resignation there was speculation in some sections of the Italian media that there was a gay network working together to support each other's careers in the Vatican.
Benedict became the first pope in six centuries to resign, when in 2013, citing health reasons, he stepped down. The book, whose lead publisher is German Droemer Knaur, is called "The Last Conversations" and will be released in September. It is the first time in history that a former pope has judged his own pontificate after it is over.
In the article they reveal how Benedict kept a diary during his papacy, which he now plans to destroy, despite its historical significance. They also include details of the Pope Emeritus’ life, faith and papacy, including his thoughts on current pope, Francis.
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