ROME — Pope Francis has appointed Father Roberto Pasolini, a pro-LGBT advocate, as the new preacher of the Papal Household, succeeding Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa, who served for 44 years.
Father Pasolini, a 53-year-old Capuchin friar from Milan, will deliver sermons during Advent and Lent.
His appointment has sparked controversy due to past statements encouraging congregants to consider same-sex relationships among biblical figures. For example, he suggested that the bond between the Roman centurion and his sick servant could imply a deeper relationship, and he speculated on potential connections between Jesus and his disciples.
Pasolini argued that the biblical texts reflect the cultural understanding of their time, which did not recognize homosexual orientation, leading to stigmatization of same-sex acts.
This appointment follows the naming of Father Timothy Radcliffe, a well-known gay-rights advocate, as a cardinal, signaling a shift within the Church towards more inclusive discussions on sexuality.