Pope Francis Snubs France's Gay Diplomat As Ambassador To The Vatican; French Leaders Baffled

France has been kept in silence three months after it appointed a diplomat, Laurent Stefanini — who is bold about being gay but discreet about his personal life — as its ambassador to the Vatican. Stefanini’s appointment has been approved by the French cabinet as early as January 5. Yet to date, Pope Francis has not made any signal regarding the reception of Stefanini’s appointment.

According to a source in Rome that Agence France Presse quoted, it is not normal to have a delay of three months. Usually, a month after an appointment is made, the Vatican declares its acceptance, although no public statement is issued should the answer be in the negative, much less offer an explanation. In such a case, it is up to the appointing country to make an interpretation of such silence.

Many activists regard the “silence” to be something that puts to test the Pope’s intensity of implementing reforms in the Catholic Church. The current year is Pope Francis’ third year of holding the highest position in Vatican.

One Of The Best Diplomats

It seems that France is determined to stick to Stefanini’s appointment because the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says Stefanini is among France’s best diplomats. In fact, Stefanini has been appointed primarily at the behest of French President Francois Hollande.

Stefanini served as number two at French embassy in the Vatican from 2001 to 2005. His appointment as the ambassador has been backed by three other religious leaders in the Vatican — Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, Antoine-Marie Izoard and Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois.

Gay Marriage Advocacy over Gay Orientation

Pope Francis has been distinguished from his predecessor as someone who has slight tolerance when it comes to homosexuality. Two years ago, he made an announcement that gay people should be integrated into the communities.

France24 reported that a blogger of Italy’s La Stampa Daily made a comment that it is Stefanini’s advocacy supporting gay marriage that is hindering his confirmation and not his sexual orientation. Reports say that Stefanini was not the first gay diplomat to be appointed as ambassador to the Vatican. The first one was in 2007, and like Stefanini, the first appointee was “snubbed” by the Vatican. However, Stefanini is single and prudent about his love life, if any. He is perceived to be very cultivated and a practising Catholic.

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