Francis meets gay envoy proposed as Vatican ambassador

Pope Francis has met the gay diplomat proposed as France’s next ambassador to the Vatican and prayed with him in a highly unusual 40-minute private meeting at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, without making public whether Laurent Stefanini will be accepted in his post.

Reporting the meeting, the satirical weekly Le Canard Enchaîné said that the Pope told Mr Stefanini his homosexuality was not behind the Vatican’s silence about his nomination.

France’s legalisation of same-sex marriage two years ago and its apparent attempt to force the Vatican’s hand by prematurely publicising his nomination were the reasons, it said. Government spokesman Stéphane Le Foll confirmed the 17 April meeting but gave no other details. “Nothing has changed,” he said. “France has proposed a candidate and we are waiting for the Vatican’s reply.”

Vatican sources said the meeting was “particularly cordial” and Pope Francis asked questions to discern the diplomat’s thinking. He suggested praying with Stefanini, 55, a respected diplomat and practising Catholic who has always been discreet about his sexual orientation. But the Pope did not make public how the Vatican, which is traditionally allergic to pressure from outside governments, would proceed.

A main concern seems to be that accepting him now would look like a concession to a socialist government that has irritated the Church by legalising same-sex marriage and advocating an increasingly strict application of its secularist policy of laïcité.